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Polk County’s varsity baseball team dropped its Mountain Foothills 7 Conference opener Tuesday night, falling 8-2 to R-S Central in Rutherfordton.

The Hilltoppers (4-2, 1-0) built a steady lead throughout the contest, scoring in each of the first five innings. R-S Central plated single runs in the first, second and fourth innings while adding two in the third and three more in the fifth to build an 8-0 advantage.

Polk County (3-2, 0-1) found offensive production difficult against Hilltoppers starter Drew Yelton. The College of Charleston commit dominated on the mound, striking out 12 Wolverine batters while allowing just two hits in 5.1 innings of work.

The Wolverines broke through for their first run in the sixth inning. Alex Perry singled with one out, then scored when Aaron Jackson’s fly ball was misplayed following a two-out walk to Zalen McCraw.

Polk County added another run in the seventh inning when Gunnar Alm led off with a sharp single to right. Alm promptly stole second and third before Nate Fagan drove him home with a single to right field.

Alm, Fagan, Perry and Mark Jarrett each had one hit for the Wolverines, who had four hits against the Hilltoppers’ pitching duo of Yelton and Jake Lyles. Lyles finished the game with five strikeouts in 1.2 innings of relief.

Perry worked four innings on the mound for Polk County, allowing seven runs on seven hits. Aaden Denton pitched effectively in relief, giving up just one run on one hit while striking out three in two innings.

Polk County will have a chance for quick redemption as the teams meet again Friday at 6:30 p.m. at The Bottoms.