Despite holding a six-run lead at one point, the Wolverines were unable to hold on as Landrum snuck by to win by one, just as they did in Wednesdays 13-12 victory in Columbus.
The winning run was scored by Alex Wilson on a perfectly executed suicide squeeze bunt by Jacob Hatchette in the bottom of the sixth. Wilson then took the mound and shut out Polk in the next half-inning to earn the win.
But the real hero of the day was Cardinal junior Ryan Jacobs, who hit two home runs that plated five total runs. The first score of the game came when Jacobs turned on a full count offering from Polk starter Brandon Jolley.
Ryan Jacobs is on a tear. I dont know what to call it, when he hit that second home run, it was his fourth home run in five at-bats, said Landrum coach Donald Miller.
For Polk, Jolley hit a three-run homer to left field to give the Wolverines a 3-2 lead in the second inning.
The lead grew to 8-2 after J.P. Ruths 2-RBI double in the top of the fourth.
Landrum responded with five runs in the fourth as Tyler Burrell and Justin Henson each picked up RBIs before Jacobs went yard again.
The Cardinals moved ahead by one in the bottom of the fifth, but Polk returned the favor after drawing three walks in the sixth.
Dustin Morris led off the bottom half with a single, and tied the game on a wild pitch three batters later. Miller then called for the suicide squeeze which ultimately won the game.
Let me take my hat off to Polk County, theyve got a great ballclub and you cant fault either team for getting after it, said Miller.
Polk coach Ty Stott said he thinks his team will be more relaxed after this rivalry. After the Wednesday loss, we came out Friday more relaxed, having fun, he said. The Wolverines beat conference foe Mitchell Friday.
Landrum (11-5, 9-1 region II-1A) opens the playoffs on Thursday at home. The start time and opponent are yet to be determined.
Polk (12-3, 7-0 WHC) has four more games before its playoffs start on May 15.