By Mark Schmerling

 

On Monday, March 23, Polk County’s varsity softball team performed its impression of a Trojan horse at Asheville, invading the Cougars’ home turf and topping them, 11-2.

 

Polk got three hits each from freshmen Haley Fowler, Maranda Gosnell and Autumn Owen, plus a spectacular and timely defensive play from catcher Ashley Kropp. They also got a complete game win from Ashley Scruggs, who ran her season record to 6-1, same at her team’s, going into yesterday’s non-conference game at East Rutherford.

 

The Wolverines pounded out 14 hits.

 

Polk is 3-0 in conference play. Results from yesterday’s game were not available at press time.

 

Asheville’s only scoring took place in the first inning. The Wolverines exploded for five in the second, added one run each in the fourth and fifth, and sealed the win with four in the seventh.

 

With Asheville leading, 2-0, Ashley Kropp caught a Cougar runner between third and home, ran her down with her shin guards on, and made a diving tag. That, said Coach Jeff Wilson, was “a spectacular defensive play. We needed that. We were already down, 2-0. She (Kropp) stemmed the tide with an amazing play.” Wilson added that no one would expect a catcher to make such a play.

 

“We’re playing pretty good ball,” Wilson noted. He said his squad is working on defense and base running, neither facet of which is particularly weak.

 

Next Thursday, April 2, the Wolverines resume conference play when they host Hendersonville.

 

In JV action Monday, Polk defeated Asheville10-3, as the Wolverines moved to 4-2. Leading hitters were Caitlin Britton, Ashley Ponder and Karli Wood. Hannah Emory’s bat has also paced the JV team.