Polk County’s varsity softball team suffered a tough defeat Tuesday in its Mountain Foothills 7 Conference opener, falling 18-3 to R-S Central in a game shortened to four innings by run rule.
The Hilltoppers (3-1, 0-1) jumped ahead early with seven runs in the first inning, then continued to build their advantage with five runs in the second and two more in the third for a 14-0 lead.
Polk County (4-3, 0-1) mounted its only scoring threat in the third inning. Emma Hayford drew a walk to start the frame, followed by Aslyn Scruggs’ single. After one out, the Wolverines strung together four consecutive singles from Laney Littlefield, Junie Mitchell, Sarah Vitale and Elizabeth Vitale to put three runs on the board. The promising rally ended when R-S Central turned a 1-2-3 double play to close the inning.
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The Hilltoppers responded with four runs in the bottom of the fourth to end the game via the 15-run rule.
Littlefield and Mitchell led the Wolverines offensively, each going 2-for-3 at the plate. Sarah Vitale, Elizabeth Vitale and Tory Coile each finished 1-for-2, while Scruggs went 1-for-1.
Polk County get another shot at R-S Central on Friday as the Wolverines host the Hilltoppers at 4:30 p.m.
