The Ankeny softball team moved back into the Class 5A rankings on Thursday, earning a No. 11 ranking from the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union after sweeping a doubleheader against then-No. 3 Valley on Wednesday.
A few hours later, the Hawkettes extended their winning streak to six games by sweeping a non-conference twinbill against Des Moines Lincoln, 9-1 and 8-0. The games were moved from Lincoln to Ankeny due to wet fields.
Kennedy Thomas had another big night at the plate as Ankeny improved its overall record to 14-4. She went 5-for-8 in the doubleheader with two doubles and five RBIs, raising her batting average to .446 on the season.
Thomas (3-0) was also the winning pitcher in the opener. She combined with Paige Jacobsen on a four-hitter.
Zoe Baker went 2-for-3 with a double and drove in four runs for the Hawkettes. Anna Voigt went 2-for-3 with a double and scored a run.
Malea Daugherty had a double in both games, while her sister, Peyton, stole two bases and scored three runs in the first game. Peyton then went 3-for-4 with a triple, stole a base and scored two more runs in the nightcap.
Madison Bonner-Palmer went 3-for-3 and had two RBIs as Ankeny completed the sweep. She homered, doubled and singled.
Jasmine Rumley went 2-for-4 with a triple and knocked in two runs. She stole two bases and scored twice.
Marina Carter went 2-for-2 for the Hawkettes, who pounded out 14 hits. She also drove in a run.
Shelbie Chambers (3-1) combined with Marina Smith on a seven-hit shutout. Chambers allowed four hits over the first five innings and had 10 strikeouts.
Lincoln dropped to 2-17 on the season. The Railsplitters have lost nine straight games since sweeping a doubleheader at Des Moines North on June 4.
Ankeny will compete in the Fort Dodge Invitational on Friday and Saturday.