Polk County exploded for six runs in the third inning Tuesday and received a standout pitching performance from Tyler Harris en route to an 11-1 win over Owen in Swannanoa.

Harris allowed four hits and struck out 10 in six innings of work to earn the win. Zach Foy pitched a scoreless seventh for the Wolverines (3-6, 2-2).

Owen suffered its second Western Highlands Conference loss and dropped to 4-5 overall, 4-2 in league play.

Polk County broke the game open in the third. An Owen error, a passed ball and an RBI single by Bailey Livesay brought home Chris Lawrence with the inning’s first run. Evan Rimer followed with a double to left, and an Owen error on Holden Owens’ grounder allowed Livesay to score for a 2-0 lead.

Rimer scored on a passed ball, with Owens moving to third, before Harris walked. Courtesy runner Jared Wolfe then stole second, and an error on the play allowed Owens to score before Sedric Pickett drew a walk.

One out later, Nick Capozzi’s bunt single brought home Wolfe. A two-out error on a Lawrence single allowed Pickett to score with the inning’s final run.

The Wolverines then scored five runs in the seventh, all with two ouuts. A Pickett single, Wolfe walk and Lawrence hit by pitch loaded the bases, with a walk to Livesay forcing in the first run. Rimer drew a run-scoring walk before Owens lashed a single to right. The ball eluded the outfielder, allowing all three runners on base to score.

The Wolverines had 10 hits in the game, led by Pickett’s 2-for-3 effort and Owens’ 2-for-5, two RBI showing. Livesay finished 1-for-4 with two RBI, with Rimer, Harris, Wolfe, Capozzi and Lawrence all recording hits.

Polk County returns to the road on Wednesday, traveling to Mitchell for another WHC clash.

Submitted by PolkSports.com