In their final regular season game of the year, the Lady Wolverines played host to the WCAA Trailblazers. The Skyland-based team, comprised chiefly of home-schooled athletes from across Western North Carolina, brought a 15-4 record to the table and figured to provide Polk with a golden opportunity to keep their skills sharp as they prepare for the first round of the playoffs next week.
From the outset, the contest had the look and feel of a classic pitcher’s duel, as Polk ace Jamie Hrobak traded scoreless innings with WCAA hurler Ashley Whitaker. With no score going into the top of the fifth inning, the Trailblazers mounted the first scoring threat. Bekah Downer, aboard on the only walk issued on the day by Hrobak, attempted to score from second on a Alexis Smith single, only to be gunned down at the plate by a bullet from Brittany Jones to catcher Alicia Lockhart.
Polk’s offense notched all the runs it would need in the bottom half of the fifth. Amber Lynch led off the inning with a double, and then scored as Alyssa Montgomery stroked a sharp ground ball past the outstretched glove of shortstop Amber Whitaker into left field. Cassie Couch followed with an RBI infield single, as the alert Montgomery, running the bases with a remarkable level of softball IQ, scored all the way from second. The play gave the Lady Wolverines the two-run lead that would become the final margin of victory.
Hrobak allowed the Trailblazers just four scattered hits on the day, striking out five on her way to earning her 18th victory of the season and the 47th win of her career.
Offensively, Polk was led by Lynch, who went 3-3 with two bunt singles and a double, while Couch and Jones each contributed 2 for 3 performances.
“Amber Lynch had a great game today, with three hits and some great base running,” commented head coach Jeff Wilson. “Hrobak pitched another masterpiece, and with Alyssa Montgomery coming through with a big two-out hit and a really great softball IQ hustle play to score from second, I give her all the credit for our second run.”
With the win, the Lady Wolverines finish the regular season with an overall record of 18-5. As the third seed from the Western Highlands conference, Polk travels to Canton next Tuesday, May 17, to square off against the Lady Bears of Pisgah in the first round of the 2-A state playoffs.