ENGLEWOOD — The Polk County Wildcats and senior pitcher Jared Allen got the District 5-AA baseball tournament off with a bang on Saturday afternoon, stopping the McMinn Central Chargers, 7-0.

Allen gave up a hit to McMinn Central pitcher Scott Moses in the first inning, then set down 19 consecutive batters for his shutout and a 6-2 record. He recorded nine strikeouts and did not issue a walk.

Saturday’s impressive win lifts the Wildcats to a 5:30 p.m. winner’s-bracket game with Sequoyah Monday, while Meigs County and McMinn County will play a loser’s bracket semi-final. A win Monday would put Polk County in the winner’s bracket final on Wednesday.

The district title will be decided Wednesday or Thursday.

Allen and Michael Hargrove each had a home run in Saturday’s win, with Hargrove going 2-for-2 with 2 RBIs and two walks.

Justin Webb and Tyler Lee added to Polk County’s 12-hit attack with 2-for-4 performances, a double and 2 RBIs. Alex Akins had two singles in three trips to the plate.

Coach Bill Triplett, who recently recorded his 300th coaching victory, was pleased with his team’s balance and Allen’s pitching. The Wildcats were seeded No. 3 in the tournament behind No. 1 seed Sequoyah and McMinn Central at No. 2. Meigs County, which lost to Sequoyah Saturday, was the 4th seed.

Polk County 7, McMinn Central 0

Wildcats 002 023 0 — 7 12 1

Chargers 000 000 0 — 0 1 2

Jared Allen (W) and Collin Wimberley; Scott Moses (LP) and J.C. Cowart.

Highlights: Polk County — Jared Allen posted his sixth win of the year with the one-hitter and nine . He did not walk a batter. Allen and Michael Hargrove had home runs, with Hargrove adding a second hit and two walks for 2 RBIs. Justin Webb and Tyler Lee were 2-for-4 with doubles, while Alex Akins went 2-for-3.

Records: Polk County 29-9.