Kayla Hayford hit an inside-the-park home run and drove in five runs to lead Polk County Middle to a 17-1 victory over Apple Valley Middle in Thursday’s Blue Ridge Conference softball game at the Polk County Recreation Complex.
The game ended after three innings by the mercy rule.
Polk Middle (6-2) jumped ahead 7-0 in the first inning, drawing four walks and getting a two-run single from Kaydence Cole. Hayford scored on a steal of home and the Wolverines added runs on wild pitches, an error and a hit by pitch.
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The Wolverines broke the game open with eight runs in the second inning. Cole doubled and Emma Jackson singled before Hayford launched her inside-the-park home run to center field to make it 12-0. Maddie Jolley followed with a two-run double and Payton Emory added an RBI single to push the lead to 15-0.
Polk Middle added two more runs in the third when Hayford doubled home Cole and Adalyn Painter to complete the scoring.
Hayford finished 2-for-3 with two runs, five RBI, the home run and a double. Cole went 3-for-3 with three runs, two RBI and two doubles, while Jolley added a double, two RBI and two runs.
Emory contributed a hit and an RBI, Jackson had a hit and an RBI, Kali Masters drew two walks and scored twice and Painter scored three runs.
Aubrey Champion earned the win with two innings of work, and Hayford pitched the third inning.
Apple Valley Middle fell to 0-7.
