After a week in which Polk County Middle lost a pair of one-run games and two players to injuries, head coach Billy Alm and the Wolverines were ready for a new week to begin on a better note.
Mission accomplished.
Clark Phipps scored the winning run in the bottom of the sixth Monday afternoon as Polk Middle nipped Asheville Christian Academy 3-2 at Polk County Recreation Complex.
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The Wolverines (6-4) received a solid start from pitcher Grayson Jones and held a 2-1 lead until ACA pushed across an unearned run to tie the game.
Phipps then reached on a hit by pitch to open the bottom of the sixth and moved to second on Bryson Ridings’ sacrifice bunt before Brandon Ridings walked.
Avery Edwards then hit a grounder to the right side and ACA attempted to force Ridings at second, but the throw sailed into the outfield, allowing Phipps to race home with the winning run.
“We have a couple of guys hurt, but the other guys stepped up,” Alm said. “We’ve been able to pitch it and we’ve been able to field it, but we’ve been struggling at the plate. That’s what we spent the whole rainy week working on, but we’ve not been able to put it in the field yet.”
Polk County scored both of its runs in the third inning, with Phipps, who singled to open the inning, scoring on a passed ball and Jones driving home another run with a two-out single. The Wolverines had three hits and a pair of walks in the inning, but left the bases loaded.
Brandon Ridings, who relieved Jones, earned the win.
Phipps and Bryson Ridings were each 2-for-3 to lead the Wolverines, who are back in action on Wednesday, hosting Waynesville Middle at 4:30 p.m.
