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Retiring Polk County football coach Bruce Ollis threw out the first pitch Tuesday prior to the Wolverines’ matchup with East Rutherford at The Bottoms.

 

Ollis no doubt appreciated not having to throw any additional deliveries to Cavalier batters.

 

East Rutherford exploded for eight runs in the first inning, including three doubles from their first six batters, en route to a 14-1 victory over the Wolverines.

 

The Cavaliers (17-3, 9-2) moved a half-game ahead of R-S Central in the race for second place in the Mountain Foothills 7 Conference standing. Polk County dropped to 7-12, 1-8.

 

How it happened: East found comfort at the plate from the outset, with those three doubles each coming on deep drives to center and right field. Polk aided the Cavalier cause with five walks, a hit batter and an error as East sent 13 batters to the plate.

 

The Wolverines manufactured their run in the third inning off East starter Mason Huffstickler, a Tusculum signee. Gunnar Alm singled with two outs, stole second, then stole third and scored on an error, cutting the Cavalier lead to 9-1.

 

The Wolverines then loaded the bases with no outs in the fifth against reliever Malachi Dato. But Dato responded with three straight strikeouts to end the game.

 

At the plate: Alm finished 1-for-2 and stole four bases for the second time this season. Avery Hensley, Noah Harden, Alex Perry and Blaine Turner each added base hits.

 

Next up: The two teams are tentatively scheduled to meet again Friday at East Rutherford, weather permitting.