Maddie Jolley hit a three-run inside-the-park home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to lift Polk County Middle to a 7-6 victory over Brevard Middle in Thursday’s Blue Ridge Conference softball game at the Polk County Recreation Complex.
The victory was Polk County Middle’s third straight.
Brevard jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning and extended it to 4-2 after three innings before Polk Middle rallied.
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The Wolverines (3-1) tied the game at 4-4 in the third when Payton Emory doubled home two runs. After Brevard Middle (1-3) took a 4-2 lead in the top of the inning, Aubrey Champion, Kayla Hayford and Kenzie Alm all singled to load the bases with one out before Emory’s two-run double to center field tied the game.
The score remained 4-4 through the fourth and fifth innings before Polk Middle broke through in the sixth. Kali Masters walked and Emma Jackson doubled to put runners at second and third with no outs. Jolley then hit a fly ball to center field that sailed over the outfielder’s head, scoring both runners and circling the bases for an inside-the-park home run to give Polk County Middle a 7-4 lead.
Brevard answered with two runs in the top of the seventh to pull within 7-6, but Polk County Middle held on for the victory.
Hayford led Polk County Middle with two hits, while Champion, Alm, Emory, Jackson and Jolley each added one hit. Emory doubled and drove in two runs, Jackson doubled, and Jolley finished with three RBIs and two runs. Masters scored twice.
Champion earned the win, pitching all seven innings and allowing 11 hits with five strikeouts.
Polk Middle hosts Flat Rock Middle on March 23.
