Jackson’s defensive gem lifts Polk County to softball playoff victory

A picture-perfect play proved exactly what Polk County needed Wednesday to save its day.

Wolverine outfielder Kinsley Jackson threw out the potential tying run at home plate in the top of the seventh inning, ending the game and securing a 2-1 victory for Polk County over East Lincoln in a first-round state 2A playoff matchup.

The Wolverines (20-4) move on to face East Rutherford (21-2) in the second round. That game will be played Saturday at East Rutherford, the time to be determined.

It looked certain that East Lincoln’s time to tie the game had come Wednesday in the seventh inning. Madison Hatfield opened the inning with a single to left, then moved to third on Booth Braswell’s sacrifice bunt, reaching the base as Polk County had no one covering it.

Taylor Wilson then lofted a fly ball to Jackson in right field. The sophomore made the catch, then made a perfect throw to catcher Ashley Kropp, who tagged a sliding Braswell to end the game.

“They came up big,” said Polk County head coach Jeff Wilson of Jackson and Kropp. “Kropp said she tagged her on the head as she went by, that she definitely got her.

“I felt like our poise under pressure was big today. The girls kept their focus and did what needed to be done when we needed it most.”

East Lincoln pitcher Carly Johnson kept Polk hitters off balance most of the game, settling into a rhythm in the fourth inning and retiring the final nine batters in order. But the Wolverines got all the runs they would need in the third.

Hayley Kropp led off the inning with a single, moved to second on Brittany Jones’ sacrifice bunt and then took third on Ashley Scruggs’ groundout to third. With two outs, Ashley Kropp then lofted a Johnson pitch to deep left, the double allowing Hayley Kropp to trot home.

Alexis McCraw then blooped a single to shallow right that allowed courtesy runner Kailyn Brown to race home, giving Polk County a 2-0 lead.

East Lincoln answered with a run in the fifth on three straight singles, then had runners on second and third with one out in the sixth. Ava Hicks popped up to Scruggs, though, and then McCraw was perfectly placed to catch Heidi Parker’s line drive to center to end the inning.

Polk County assistant coach Jerry Hensley had just moved McCraw shortly before Parker’s drive.

“That was a key point in the ball game, with a couple of runners on,” Wilson said. “(Hensley) suggested it, so we moved her and she was in perfect position.”

Ashley Kropp had two hits to lead Polk County, which had just five hits in the game. Scruggs struck out three and scattered nine hits as East Lincoln made effective use of its short-game approach, slapping several infield hits.

“We were able to control their short game,” Wilson said. “They are so good at it.

“We made the plays when we had to.”