Polk County Middle transformed a competitive game into a rout with a 16-run second inning Wednesday, crushing Apple Valley Middle 21-2 in Blue Ridge Conference softball action in Hendersonville.
The Wolverines (6-1) sent 20 batters to the plate in the decisive second frame, collecting 11 hits while drawing five walks and having one batter hit by a pitch. Polk’s offensive avalanche included two two-run doubles from Bella Lancaster, a two-run double from Kenzie Alm and a two-run single from Preslie Bradley. Payton Emory reached base three times in the inning, including two hits.
After establishing a 3-0 lead in the first inning, Polk’s second-inning barrage effectively ended the contest against the Knights (1-8), who managed just four hits in the three-inning game.
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Kendall Taylor delivered a perfect 3-for-3 performance with three runs scored, two RBI and a triple. Alm finished 2-for-3 with four runs, four RBI, a double and a triple, while Bradley contributed a 3-for-4 day with three RBI and two runs.
Lancaster proved highly efficient, driving in four runs on two doubles while going 2-for-3. Minda McComas and Emory both went 2-for-2, with McComas adding two RBI and two runs scored.
The Wolverines established control from the outset. Kayla Hayford walked to start the game before Alm tripled her home. Alm then scored on a wild pitch, and Taylor’s one-out triple set up McComas’ RBI single for a 3-0 advantage.
Apple Valley responded with two runs in their half of the first inning, but Polk pitcher Aubrey Champion silenced the Knights’ offense thereafter, allowing just one hit while striking out two over the final two innings. McComas handled the first inning on the mound for Polk.
The Wolverines added two more runs in the third inning on RBI singles from Bradley and Tilly Harris, capitalizing on two Apple Valley errors.
The victory extends Polk County Middle’s strong season as they improved to 6-1 in conference play. The Wolverines returns to action Thursday, traveling to Brevard Middle for a 4:30 p.m. game.
