The short news is that Polk County defeated Brevard, 2-1, on Saturday, May 16 to advance to the third round of state playoff action, to be held at Columbus Tuesday at 5 p.m., against Franklin.

The longer version is that Polk employed superb pitching and fielding, with just enough offense to move forward in the 2A race.

In the top of the sixth, with no one on base and two outs, a Brevard batter looped an Ashley Scruggs pitch to short right. In some circumstances, the ball would have dropped for a hit, but Polk right fielder Kinsley Jackson read the ball perfectly, charged in furiously and snared the ball near her shoe tops.

“I knew I had to catch it,” Jackson said after the game. “I felt the intensity, and knew I had to help my team out.” About the latter, there was no doubt.

An inning earlier, Brevard’s leadoff batter singled hard over second base. That runner might have been unaware of Polk catcher Ashley Kropp’s rifle arm, and attempted to swipe second. Kropp’s quick throw to sister Hayley, and the latter’s acrobatic tag, drew the out sign from the umpire.

It was good timing, as well as fine play. It was followed by a long fly, prompting a run to the fence in center by Alexis McCraw who put it away for out number two. Next batter looped a double to center, but McCraw, running hard to her right, caught a long drive to left center by the next, and final batter in the top of the fifth, to preserve Polk’s 2-1 lead.

Going to inning three, the score was tied 1-1. Scruggs, who fanned four batters but induced many pop outs, kept the Blue Devils from scoring more.

However, Autumn Owen walked to lead off the home third. Hayley Kropp followed with a single, to put Polk runners on first and second. With Maranda Gosnell at the plate, a pitch got by the catcher, with Owen and Kropp alertly taking third and second, respectively. Gosnell popped out, but Ashley Scruggs’s grounder sent both runners flying. A good throw to the plate, and a good tag barely nipped Owen, with Kropp taking third.

Hayley Fowler followed with a single that scored Kropp to give Polk a 2-1 lead that the Wolverines would hold.

“We showed some fine leather today,” understated Wolverine Coach Jeff Wilson. “We produced just enough offense but our gloves showed up.” Polk produced just five hits, and Brevard only six.