Wolverine softball squad returns to winning ways in 10-0 rout of Mitchell

Polk County’s softball squad returned to its winning ways Friday, getting a solid all-around performance en route to a 10-0 win over Mitchell in Western Highlands Conference play at Polk.

The Wolverines exploded for six runs in the second inning, then wrapped up the five-inning win with a three-run fourth inning. The victory snapped a two-game losing streak for Polk County (4-2, 1-1), who also hadn’t played since last Friday due to inclement weather.

“We practiced really hard this week. The girls really wanted to win,” said Polk County head coach Jeff Wilson. “They worked hard and encouraged each other.

“One thing we’ve talked about is trying to be unselfish and trying to care about your teammates. I thought we did a good job of that.”

Polk County got a defensive gem in the top of the first inning, with Kassidy Reynolds throwing out a Mitchell runner at home plate. Ashley Kropp also threw out a would-be base stealer in the third and the Wolverines were nearly flawless in the field to back freshman pitcher Ashley Scruggs, who scattered two hits and struck out seven in the win.

“Ashley pitched really well,” Wilson said. “I thought we hit the ball well throughout the lineup.”

That offense came to life in the second inning. Reynolds drove home the first run of the game with a single to right. One out later, Hayley Kropp dropped a single into shallow left to bring home another run. Brittany Jones then ripped a triple to right field that scored two more runs.

Jones scored on Ashley Kropp’s groundout before Scruggs singled to right to drive in the inning’s sixth run.

Hayley Kropp drove in another run in the third before the Wolverines added three more in the fourth, stringing together two walks, a hit batter, a base hit and a Mitchell error to grab a 10-0 lead. Mitchell then went down in order in the fifth to end the game.

Hayley Kropp finished 2-for-4 with two RBI and Jones drove in two runs to pace the Wolverine offense.

Polk County is back in action Monday, hosting Avery County at 4 pm.