It looked like Polk’s game in the home fourth. Cassie Couch drew a leadoff walk. Savannah Ross was sent to pinch-run. Foy hit an innocent grounder to short, but a bad throw to second went far into right center. Ross scampered home to tie the game, and Foy ran to third. Amber Lynch bunted her way on, putting runners at first and third with no outs.  A bad throw to third brought Foy home, with Lynch advancing to third, and a 4-3 lead for Polk. With one down, Caitlin Davis was hit by a pitch, and stole second. Ruff then helped herself and the Wolverines, with a sacrifice fly that scored Lynch, for a 5-3 lead

Owen capitalized on a dropped pop foul and a dropped liner in the outfield to set up a run on a bloop single, closing Polk’s lead to 5-4, going into the home fifth.

However, in the home fifth, Polk put two runners on, but could not score.

Owen turned the game around in the top of the sixth, in spite of some great fielding by Polk. A dropped throw at the plate and yet another bloop single, this one for two runs, put Owen ahead, 6-5, to end the day’s scoring. By contrast, Polk’s last out in the home sixth was a screamer off the bat of Couch, caught at the mound.

In spite of the disappointing loss, “It was an excellent ball game,” said Wilson afterward. “I’m very proud of the way they played.” He emphasized what Wolverine fans already know: “Anyone who watched knows they’re a really good team. We gave everything we had . . . Katie pitched a really good game.”

Polk’s next home game is next Monday at 4:00, against Swain County.