Polk County Middle unleashed an offensive barrage Tuesday, pounding out 24 hits in a 22-5 Blue Ridge Conference softball victory at Canton Middle.
The Wolverines (1-0) put the game away with an 11-run sixth inning after already building a comfortable lead in the chilly mountain air.
“On a cold night up the mountain, our bats were hot,” said Polk Middle head coach Leanne Panter. “We had a big rally at the plate in the sixth inning that pulled us away from Canton.”
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Kenzie Alm spearheaded Polk’s offensive explosion, going 5-for-6 with four RBI, four runs scored, three doubles and a triple. Bella Lancaster added a 4-for-5 performance with two RBI and three stolen bases.
Kayla Hayford delivered a 3-for-4 day with two RBI, a triple and crossed the plate five times to help power the Wolverines. Kendall Taylor matched Hayford’s hit total, going 3-for-4 with two RBI.
Polk Middle took control early with three runs in the opening inning. Canton responded with two in their half of the first, but the Wolverines gradually extended their advantage with two runs in the fourth and six more in the fifth.
The fifth-inning rally began with Aubrey Champion drawing a walk and Taylor following with a single. After an out, Tilly Harris singled to drive in Champion. Minda McComas then delivered a run-scoring triple to plate Taylor, and Hayford followed with her own triple to drive in another run. Alm’s double brought home Hayford before Lucy Tessnair capped the inning with a double that scored Alm.
The Wolverines removed any doubt about the outcome in the sixth, sending 15 batters to the plate. Preslie Bradley delivered a bases-loaded double during the outburst, while Lancaster added an RBI double and Alm contributed a two-run double to fuel the 11-run explosion.
McComas earned the pitching victory, allowing eight hits while striking out nine Canton batters.
Harris and Tessnair each finished 2-for-5 with two RBI, while Bradley went 2-for-5 with three RBI. McComas added a 2-for-4 effort with an RBI and a triple, with Champion going 1-for-1 with an RBI.
The Wolverines will look to build on their season-opening win when they travel Monday to Rugby Middle for a 4:30 p.m. conference matchup.
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