Coming back from a deficit in any sport is no joy.

On Monday, April 25, in non-conference softball action Gaffney took a 4-0 lead and held off Polk County, 5-2.

The Wolverines, who mustered only three hits, including a single and double by Haley Fowler, still boast a 9-5 overall record, and are 5-2 in the Western Highlands Conference, pending completion of this Friday evening’s game against Owen, that was suspended due to darkness with the teams tied, 8-8, after eight innings.

Darkness was no factor against Gaffney, as the game was held at the lights-equipped field at Polk County Middle School.

Polk hurler Ashley Scruggs was sharp, but so was Gaffney’s Olivia Henson. Gaffney scored in the first.

A loop single and sacrifice bunt put a runner on second. A hit (just nicked) batter put Gaffney runners at first and second with one out. A single to right center scored a run. Gaffney might have scored more, but Polk defense closed the door.

Polk centerfielder Ansley Lynch, who’d just caught a fly ball, rifled a throw home. Wolverine catcher Autumn Owen completed the double play by standing her ground and making the tag.

However, Gaffney scored twice in the third, and once in the fourth, to go up, 4-0.

In the home fourth, Polk got two of those back.

The speedy Fowler led off with a bunt single. When she sped for second on a steal attempt, the throw to the bag was off, and Fowler was safe, with Hayley Kropp at the plate. Kropp fanned, but Owen walked. A pop out made it two outs, but Fowler stole third.

Scruggs, showing the value of putting the ball into play, hit one to the infield. A Gaffney misplay put Scruggs on first, and scored Fowler and Owen. A ground out ended the inning.

Gaffney added a run in the seventh.

On Friday the Wolverines travel to Owen. After the regularly-scheduled game, they’ll resume play in the suspended game.

On Tuesday, May 3, Polk hosts Hendersonville. Mitchell’s Mountaineers come to Columbus on Thursday, May 5, for the last game of the regular season. Playoffs are set to begin May 11.