BENTON, Tenn. – Polk County coach Bill Triplett has had a recurring theme in his postseason post-practice team chats.
“Pitching and defense is what has to carry us,” he has said repeatedly.
It was Jared Allen’s pitching Monday in a Region 3-AA semifinal that led to a win at Red Bank and it was pitching again on Wednesday as the Wildcats, playing at home, posted a 7-2 victory over East Hamilton to capture the region championship.
This time it was Tyler Lee, allowing one run and four hits in five innings, who led the charge.
“We got a great pitching performance today,” Triplett said. “I have told the guys over and over that we weren’t going to hit our way into the state tournament. We have now had two outstanding pitching performances.”