Polk County Middle’s baseball team secured its first win of the season Wednesday, combining timely hitting with solid pitching to defeat Apple Valley Middle 12-6 in Blue Ridge Conference action in Hendersonville.
The Wolverines (1-6) struck early with three runs in the opening inning and maintained consistent offensive pressure throughout, scoring in four of six frames against the Knights (3-7).
Gavin Waldbillig led Polk’s 14-hit attack with a perfect 3-for-3 performance, driving in two runs while scoring three times. Davis Holbert provided crucial run production, going 2-for-3 with three RBI, while Matthew Foy and Brantley Hall each collected two hits and scored twice.
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Foy delivered a dominant pitching performance, working 4 1/3 innings without allowing a hit while striking out six. The right-hander held Apple Valley scoreless through four innings before the Knights mounted a late rally.
The Wolverines established control immediately in the first inning, stringing together three consecutive singles from Foy, Hall and Waldbillig to plate their first run. Hall scored on a passed ball before Holbert’s groundout brought home Waldbillig for a 3-0 advantage.
Polk extended their lead to 5-0 in the third when Waldbillig singled, Carter Wood walked, and both eventually scored on hits from Holbert and Callaway Cameron. A three-run fourth inning, highlighted by Holbert’s RBI single, pushed the margin to 8-0.
The Wolverines capped their scoring with four runs in the sixth, including a two-run single from RJ Simpson.
“I’m very proud of the boys’ hard work. We’ve been focusing on being aggressive at the plate and that paid off tonight. The first win is always the hardest to get and the boys fully deserve to enjoy it,” said Polk Middle head coach Alston Rikard.
Zane McFalls pitched the final 1 2/3 innings for Polk, allowing three runs on three hits while recording one strikeout.
Polk Middle returns to action Thursday, traveling to Brevard Middle for a 4:30 p.m. game.
