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Runs in every inning, solid relief pitching, and a win-by-run rule.

Polk County’s 2023 baseball debut couldn’t have unfolded much better.

The Wolverines steadily pulled away Wednesday from Rosman, claiming a 14-4 five-inning victory over the Tigers in Polk’s season opener at Rosman Community Park.

Rosman dropped to 0-2 with the loss.

How it happened: The fireworks began early for Polk – leadoff batter Gunnar Alm doubled and Alex Tipton smashed a single to give the Wolverines a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Tipton then stole second, Lawson Carter drew a walk and moved to third, with Tipton scoring, on an errant pickoff throw.

Alex Perry’s grounder scored Carter and gave Polk an early 3-0 lead.

Polk added two runs in the second and another in the third to lead 6-4 before four-run rallies in both the fourth and fifth innings. A two-run error on Mason Beiler’s grounder and Cohen Edwards’ RBI single highlighted the fourth-inning surge, with Carter smashing a two-run double in the fifth, followed by Angus Weaver’s sacrifice fly and Bryson Jones’ RBI single, to close the scoring.

At the plate: Tipton returned to the lineup after missing last season and had a 3-for-3 day, scoring four runs, stealing three bases and driving in a run. Carter finished 2-for-3 with three RBI and scored three runs while Alm was 2-for-4 with two doubles and scored twice.

Perry was 1-for-2 with two RBI, with Jones, Edwards and Weaver each adding a hit and RBI.

Noah Harden earned the win, pitching 1 2/3 innings and allowing three hits and four runs, two of those earned.

Edwards and Perry teamed for 3 1/3 innings of scoreless two-hit relief. Edwards struck out four in 2 1/3 innings while Perry struck out two in a scoreless inning.

Polk County was set to travel to West Wilkes High School on Saturday, where the Wolverines will face North Stokes and Surry Central in the 9th Annual Blackhawk Baseball Early Season Test.