On a picture-perfect springtime afternoon in Columbus, the Lady Bearcats of Hendersonville High came calling for the first of the season’s two conference matchups with the ladies of Polk County softball. As expected, Wednesday’s contest was an entertaining affair, featuring excellent pitching and rock-solid defense on both sides of the ball.
In another in a string of dominating performances, Polk County’s Jamie Hrobak picked up her 11th win of the season, striking out seven and walking none. Hrobak worked methodically through the Hendersonville lineup, allowing just one hit – a single by Cynthia Bollman in the third – as she faced just one batter over the minimum on her way to recording her 40th career victory for the Lady Wolverines.
“That was a great performance by Hrobak,” said head coach Jeff Wilson, “and our defense really stepped up behind her.”
Hrobak, in just her junior year, already holds the all-time record for career wins at Polk County High School.
Offensively, the Lady Wolverines managed to dust up Hendersonville starter Taylor Bryant for five hits on the afternoon. Yancy Pace got the scoring started in the second, roping a line drive single to right field to drive home Kara Garvin, who had reached on a walk.
Hrobak, hitting cleanup, helped her own cause in the third as she launched a Bryant fastball down the pipe over the fence in left center for a solo home run, giving Polk a two run lead after three.
The Lady Wolverines added their final run in the sixth, as Garvin, again aboard on a walk, advanced on a Shea Wheeler line drive single to center field and then scored on a Brittany Jones base hit to right.
Following the game, Hrobak praised the performance of the Lady Bearcats.
“They’ve come a long way,” said Hrobak. “They have really gotten much better.”
With the win, the Lady Wolverines improve to 11-2 on the season overall, and 6-1 in Western Highlands conference play.