A very different Lady Wolverines softball team got off the bus at North Buncombe High School on Monday afternoon. Still smarting from last Thursday’s 10-2 thumping at the hands of North Henderson, the team made it clear from the outset that it aimed to reestablish Polk softball’s reputation as a dominant force in the Western Highlands conference.
In stark contrast to last Thursday’s spotty offensive performance, Coach Jeff Wilson’s squad put on an offensive clinic Monday, brutalizing North Buncombe pitching for 17 hits and shutting out the Lady Hawks by a score of 15-0 in a game that was called by mercy rule after five innings.
The Lady Wolverines (now 4-1) were up by just two going into the top of the third inning when the fireworks began. With the bases loaded and two outs, and facing a two strike count, Cavin Richards came up clutch, stroking a two-RBI base hit that keyed the rally and broke the game wide open. Polk went on to tally eight runs in the frame and led by 10 after three.
Polk’s offense came from all parts of the batting order. Kara Garvin went 3 for 4 on the afternoon with two doubles and 4 RBIs, while Cassie Couch and Jamie Hrobak each had three hits in four trips to the plate, including two doubles by Hrobak. Erica Painter and Alicia Lockhart both contributed hits to the Polk effort and two-time All State catcher Alyssa Montgomery drove in two runs before leaving the game in the top of the third with an ankle injury.
“I haven’t had a lot of 17 hit games in my career,” said Coach Wilson following the game, clearly pleased with his team’s commanding performance at the plate.
Polk ace Hrobak was back in her groove as well, striking out eight Lady Hawk batters and giving up just three hits on the afternoon. Hrobak struck out the side to end the game in the fifth, notching her 33rd career victory and improving to 4-1 on the season.