Polk County High School’s softball season ended in the second round of the state tournament on Saturday, but it took an outstanding squad to top the Wolverines.
East Rutherford, ranked first in the state on the internet and second in a coaches’ poll, defeated Polk 6-0, at East Rutherford.
Polk’s Hayley Kropp led off the game with a double, and Brittany Jones advanced her to third, but Polk was unable to get her home.
Through two and one-half innings, no one scored, but East Rutherford plated three in the home third, and three more in the sixth on, as Polk coach Jeff Wilson said, “some timely slapping, good hitting and Polk errors.”
Rounding out the Wolverines four hits were Ashley Kropp, Kassidy Reynolds and Alexis McCraw. Polk’s freshman pitching standout Ashley Scruggs took the loss, but her 20 season wins placed her second in Wolverine history for wins in a season. She had long set a new freshman record.
“I was really proud of my girls,” Wilson added. He noted that Scruggs pitched very well. “Only one team ends the season satisfied,” Wilson continued. He noted that others must find a silver lining. “We had a lot of that this year.”
Wilson went on to highlight what third-sacker Brittany Jones has brought to the team.
“I praise Brittany Jones,” he said, “for her senior leadership, offensively, defensively, and every day at practice.”