To say that it has been a good week for Polk County’s softball program would certainly be an understatement. On Tuesday March 22, staff ace Jamie Hrobak pitched a perfect game as Polk notched a decisive conference victory over Mitchell. And on Thursday, the Lady Wolverines notched a major win over visiting Swain County, upsetting the number one ranked 1A team in the state by a score of 4-2.
So, with two big wins in the books, it was easy to understand the challenge facing head coach Jeff Wilson entering Polk’s matchup with visiting conference foe Avery Friday – namely, how to keep his young squad motivated and focused on the task at hand.
“I told the girls that we had to battle through the blahs, coming off of the ‘pump’ of playing number one with a big crowd on hand,” said Wilson.
Reasoning that a letdown following a big win was understandable, yet not inevitable, Wilson counseled his team to strike quickly and often.
“I told the girls that our goal is to score early,” said Wilson, adding, “I really challenged them to work hard in the first inning.”
Evidently, Wilson’s ladies listened well, as Polk’s offense exploded for nine runs in the bottom of the first on their way to a 13-3 bruising of the visitors from Newland in six innings.
Offensively, the Lady Wolverines were led by two-time All State player Alyssa Montgomery, who went 2 for 2 on the afternoon with a single, a double and two walks, notching two RBIs while reaching base on all four trips to the plate.
Leadoff hitter Shayln Brown added an RBI as well, going 2 for 4 with a walk, while Cassie Couch turned in a 2 for 3 performance with a walk. Casey McDowell played a strong game defensively at second base while turning in a 1 for 3 offensive outing with a walk and an RBI.
Polk ace Jamie Hrobak pitched two innings of one hit ball, striking out four and earning her 37th career victory before turning the ball over to reliever Yancey Pace, who held the Lady Vikings to just three hits on the rest of the afternoon. Hrobak is now just one win shy of tying the school record for victories held by Tiffany McCord.
“I’m really proud of the way we played today,” Wilson said following the game. “We kept our focus and won a game we needed to win.”
The Lady Wolverines, now 8-1 on the season and 3-0 in the conference, play a home and away series against Thomas Jefferson this week before traveling to Black Mountain Friday afternoon to square off against the Warlassies of Owen High School.