Polk baseball recognizes ‘future stars’ prior to ACA game

Ty Stott is as concerned about the future of Polk County baseball as its present.

So the veteran Wolverine head baseball coach and Polk County native took a first step Monday in hoping to inspire the next generation of Polk County standouts. Prior to Monday’s game with Asheville Christian Academy, the Wolverines recognized “future stars” from local elementary schools, inviting 10 youngsters to join the team in pregame warmups and introductions.

The future stars received a Polk County hat as well as a sheet autographed by each member of the high school team. Each student was then introduced along with a Polk County starter, running out onto the field with the high school player and remaining there through the national anthem.

“I’ve always wanted to do something like that,” Stott said. “Hopefully, it was nice for the kids to get out there.

“They got to come and hang out with the high school team. We gave them a cap and they each got an autographed sheet that all the players signed. Hopefully we’ll look up and those kids will want to be out here when they get older.”

The players also got to see a stirring Polk County comeback. Trailing 9-1 entering the bottom of the sixth, Polk County scored three runs in that at-bat, then added three more runs and had the tying run on base before dropping a 9-7 decision to the Lions.

Senior J.D. Edwards finished 2-for-3 and drew praise from Stott for his recent play.

“J.D. has really stepped up the past two or three games,” Stott said. “He’s a senior playing with a sense of urgency. Maybe we all need to do that.

“A lot of it right now is effort. We’re not always playing with the intensity that we need to play with.”

Holden Owens finished 2-for-4 as the Wolverines finally got their offense going against ACA starter Jake Andrews, who held Polk hitless until the fifth inning. ACA won its seventh straight game to improve to 8-2.

Freshman Brandon Ridings started and pitched four solid innings for the Wolverines.

“Brandon is going to continue to grow each time out,” Stott said.

Polk County is back at home Tuesday, hosting Avery in a Western Highlands Conference game with junior varsity play beginning at 4 p.m. and varsity action following.

Future stars recognized Monday included:

– Alex Perry of Tryon Elementary
– Karson Scruggs of Tryon Elementary
– Hunter Geagley of Tryon Elementary
– Jayce Edwards of Polk Central
– Zalen McCraw of Sunny View
– Grayson Smith of Tryon Elementary
– Jacob Hines of Polk Central
– Pierson Edwards of Tryon Elementary
– Zachary McCraw of Sunny View
– Evan McCraw of Sunny View