Since the 2007 season, Polk County’s baseball program has never finished worse than second in the Western Highlands Conference race, and the Wolverines haven’t gone back-to-back years without a conference championship.
Head coach Ty Stott is determined to see both those streaks continue.
“I don’t think we’re out of it at all,” Stott said. “We’re going to have to play good baseball to win it.”
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After a 1-5 start, some around the WHC wondered no doubt wondered if this might be the season to drop the Wolverines from their accustomed perch atop the league standings. But a three-game conference winning streak has moved the Wolverines, along with Madison, just behind undefeated Hendersonville in the WHC standings. Polk County travels Thursday night to face Erwin for a non-conference matchup with a chance to get its overall record back to .500.
Slow starts aren’t unusual for the Wolverine program. Nor is an in-season turnaround for a run at the conference championship and playoffs.
“I’m sure one of these years it’s going to take even longer. You just never know when it’s going to happen,” Stott siad. “You go out and just keep working. Even with our JV team, I’m seeimg improvements. I’m not seeing them (on the field), but I’m seeing them in the cage and seeing them in places.
“With the varsity, we are coming together. It’s a confidence thing, and when you start winning, you start walking up to the plate with more confidence and a little more passion and you’re not scared.”
A definite sense of confidence can be seen atop the Wolverine batting order. Leadoff hitter Bryce Martin had a three-hit game in the 7-4 win over Mitchell and has been consistently getting on base of late. The usual 3-4-5 hitters, Mark Mazzilli, Wes Brady and Morgan Groves, have begun driving in runs on a regular basis as well, each contributing heavily in the recent three wins.
Stott has been experimenting with different lineup combinations in the lower half of the order as he searches for the perfect mix of consistency at the plate and in the field.
“I think we may have 12 kids get 25 at-bats,” Stott said. “I’ve always said that if you get 25 at-bats, you’ve had a chance to show what you can do. I’ve got to keep those bats sharp. If we’re going to have competition in left field, right field and (designated hitter), I’ve got to get them some at-bats and keep them motivated.
“Bryce is riding high right now. When the leadoff hitter for Polk County walks up there, I think people expect him to be a pretty good ballplayer. The pitcher knows, this guy is batting leadoff for Polk County. I told him to walk up there like you own the place. I think they’re starting to buy into that.”
Sophomore Daniel Painter has showed signs of why he’s expected to be the team’s ace this season. Groves and Brady have also started and pitched well, with Brady firing a one-hit masterpiece in Monday’s 6-0 win over Avery. J.D. Edwards is expected to also see time on the mound as the conference race heats up.
“I think those four will be the four we’ll use,” Stott said.
That rotation will be tested in a conference race shaping up to be extremely competitive.
The defending conference champions, Hendersonville, are off to a 10-0 start, led by returning conference player of the year Samuel Linn. The Bearcats are ranked sixth in the latest state 2A poll. Bolstered by an influx of transfers from North Buncombe, Madison sits a game back and forced Hendersonville into extra innings in their first matchup, the Bearcats scoring twice in the bottom of the ninth for a 4-3 win.
Mountain Heritage and Owen are also likely to factor into the playoff picture.
“Hendersonville may have the best team they’ve ever had, and that’s saying a lot,” Stott said. “We went up to Madison and we came home with our tails between our legs (after a 10-3 loss). But we’ve responded. We’re still in the race. You never know what might happen.
“Right now we’re kind of like a couple steps up, a couple steps back. We’re still putting it together. We’re not there, but we are closer.”
