The Ankeny baseball team was hoping to open its season at home with a strong performance against a quality opponent.
It didn’t work out that way.
After Monday’s doubleheader was moved to Johnston because of a wet field, the Dragons swept both games of the twinbill by scores of 11-2 and 9-0. They completed the sweep with a pitching gem in the nightcap, when four hurlers combined on a no-hitter with 12 strikeouts.
“It was a tough night for us,” said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. “Johnston showed incredible pitching depth, and they hit everything we threw at them. They’re a good team and a deep team. They put you in uncomfortable positions, and there’s nothing that they don’t do well.”
Jackson Vines tossed the first four innings of the second game, recording eight strikeouts. Sean Nussbaum, Jacob Tobey and Ben Shaver then followed with a hitless inning apiece.
Cade Moss and Reece Anderson each went 2-for-4 and drove in two runs for the Dragons. Andrew Nord went 3-for-4 with a triple and one RBI.
Jayden Maifeld took the loss for Ankeny. He allowed two earned runs on six hits over the first five innings.
The Hawks took a 2-0 lead in the opener before Johnston rallied. The Dragons got a run in the third inning, then added five more in both the fourth and fifth innings.
Will Casel suffered the loss, allowing four earned runs on seven hits over 3 1/3 innings. He had three strikeouts.
Maifeld doubled and drove in a run for Ankeny. Seth Harpenau and Drew Hill each had a hit and scored a run.
Moss went 3-for-4 to lead Johnston’s 13-hit attack and had two of the Dragons’ eight stolen bases. Noah Janssen went 2-for-3, scored three runs and drove in two more.