Wolverines prep for big week with shutout of Asheville Trailblazers

Polk County tuned up Friday for a big upcoming week of games, blanking the Asheville Trailblazers 12-0 in a five-inning non-conference softball game at Polk County.

Ashley Scruggs held Asheville to one hit as Polk County improved to 8-1 on the season heading into games next week with defending 2A state champion East Rutherford, Western Highlands Conference co-leader and defending league champ Madison and rival Hendersonville. The Wolverines have won four straight since their lone loss to Smoky Mountain.

The Wolverines opened a 5-0 lead in the first inning on Ashley Kropp’s two-run single, Alexis McCraw’s RBI single and Maddy Foy’s two-run double. Polk County added another run in the third on a Scruggs grounder, then exploded for six runs in the fourth courtesy of Hayley Kropp’s three-run double, Maranda Gosnell’s two-run double and a Scruggs RBI single.

Polk County had 12 hits in its four innings at the plate, with Ashley Kropp going 3-for-3 to lead the attack. Gosnell and Haley Fowler each had two hits for Polk County.