Following last Friday’s backbreaking loss to the Warhorses of Owen High School at Black Mountain, a return to the friendly confines of Columbus was a welcome respite for Coach Ty Stott’s Wolverines baseball squad.  Polk played host Monday, April 4 to visiting Swain County in a non-conference contest.
Although Stott had planned to start Alec Philpott versus the 4-6 Maroon Devils, the sophomore pitcher, who sustained a low back muscle strain in the Owen game, was not able to take the mound. Instead, Stott went to his JV roster, tapping Elijah Williams for his first varsity start.
Williams held the Maroon Devils scoreless until the top of third inning, when with two outs and two runners on, Swain catcher Lee Pattillo launched a hanging curveball well over the 345 sign in left field for a three run home run. Those would be the only runs Williams would allow, as the sophomore worked a solid 5-2/3 innings, scattering seven hits while striking out three and walking three.
With two outs in the sixth, Joel Booker came in to relieve Williams, and in another first-rate late innings appearance, struck out each of the final four Swain batters to preserve the 12-3 victory.
Though Williams will, for now, remain in the regular JV rotation, Stott was impressed with his young starter’s performance.
“We know that, if we need him now, we can count on him, and that’s a big step,” said Stott.
A lack of depth on the mound continues to plague the Wolverines, as senior pitching ace Lucas Cash remains relegated to DH duties while undergoing rehabilitation for a sore arm.
Offensively, the Wolverines had yet another impressive outing, continuing to average over 11 runs per game at the plate. Roberto Taft went 3 for 4 on the afternoon with 4 RBI’s, capping a single and a double with a towering two-run home run blast in the sixth. Other standouts included Cash, who went 3 for 3 at the plate with a single and