Polk County jumped out to a five-run lead in the first inning and battled previously unbeaten Mitchell to the final out before falling 11-8 in Friday’s Western Highlands Conference softball game in Bakersville.
The Wolverines collected 13 hits against the conference-leading Mountaineers and twice pulled within two runs late in the game, showing they could compete with one of the area’s top teams.
Polk County wasted no time taking control early. Aslyn Scruggs and Tory Coile drew walks to open the game, and Junie Mitchell followed with a two-run double. Lucy Tessnair singled to put runners at the corners before Kinsley Lancaster’s double drove in two more runs. AJ Jackson’s groundout brought home the fifth run of the inning.
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Mitchell (7-0, 4-0 WHC) responded with three runs in the second and one in the third to cut the deficit to 5-4, then took the lead with four runs in the fourth inning on Adelaide Byrd’s solo home run and three consecutive doubles.
Polk County answered in the fifth when Kinsley Lancaster doubled and scored on an error to make it 8-6. After Mitchell added two runs in the fifth, the Wolverines pulled within 10-7 on Tessnair’s RBI triple in the sixth.
The Wolverines fought until the end, scoring in the seventh when Kinsley Lancaster singled, stole second and scored on a sacrifice fly by Taylor Lancaster to make it 11-8.
Kinsley Lancaster led Polk County with three hits, including two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored. Scruggs finished 3-for-4 with two runs, while Mitchell added two hits and two RBI. Tessnair went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a triple, and Bella Lancaster contributed a double.
Polk County (0-9, 0-4 WHC) hosts Mountain Heritage on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.
