Offensive punch powers Polk softball past Mitchell in run-shortened win

As spring arrives and brings signs of warmer weather, so too are indications that Polk County’s offense is heating up.

The Wolverines raced to a 5-0 lead after two innings Friday and went on to take a 10-0 win over visiting Mitchell in a six-inning Western Highlands Conference game ended by run rule.

Five Polk County players had at least two hits, with freshman Haley Fowler going 4-for-4 as Polk County improved to 5-1 overall, 3-0 in WHC play.

“I thought we hit the ball really well,” said Polk County head coach Jeff Wilson. “I was really happy with Maddy Foy, Maranda Gosnell and Haley Fowler, who went 4-for-4. Autumn Owen continues to swing a hot bat.”

Fowler and Owen had base hits in the first to give Polk its first run before the Wolverines exploded for four runs in the second. Gosnell opened with a double, then scored one out later on the first of Foy’s two doubles in the game. With two outs, Fowler singled to drive in Foy, stole second and scored when Mitchell misplayed Owen’s fly ball to right. Hayley Kropp then singled to drive in Owen and make it 5-0.

Kropp added more excitement in the fourth inning. With Owen on first after driving in Fowler to make it 6-0, Kropp hammered a fly ball to center that hit the bottom of the outfield fence and kicked away from Mitchell’s outfielders. The junior raced around the bases as the defense pursued the ball, crossing the plate standing up for her second inside-the-park home run of the season, giving the Wolverines an 8-0 lead.

Polk then ended the game in the sixth. Ashley Kropp doubled down the left-field line, then scored on Ashley Scruggs’ single. With two outs and Gosnell on after a walk, Kassidy Reynolds dropped a single into left field to drive in the 10th run and end the game.

Scruggs pitched six innings to earn the win, striking out seven and allowing just four hits.

“Defensively, our outfield played well,” Wilson said. “I felt like Scruggs did a good job moving the ball in and out, up and down and fast and slow.”

Owen, Scruggs, Foy and Hayley Kropp each had two hits.

Polk County steps out of conference play on Monday, traveling to Asheville, before returning to WHC action with games at Avery on Tuesday and Owen on Thursday.