Hawkettes earn No. 1 seed in Class 5A Region 2

Ankeny pitcher Paige Jacobsen celebrates with third baseman Zoe Baker after the Hawkettes record an out to complete an inning during Friday’s game against Sioux City Heelan in the Brent Prange Classic. Ankeny posted a 12-2 victory in six innings. (Photo by Dan Holm)

By moving up to No. 8 in Class 5A in the latest rankings, the Ankeny softball team also earned a No. 1 seed for the upcoming regional tournaments.

The Hawkettes (21-7) have been placed in Region 2 by the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union. They will host a semifinal game against Council Bluffs Jefferson (13-8) or Council Bluffs Lincoln (5-17) on July 7 at 7 p.m.

With a win, Ankeny would also host the regional final on July 10 at 7 p.m. The opponent would be either No. 9 Valley (18-8) or Des Moines Roosevelt (11-13).

Ankeny Centennial first baseman Chloe Olson records a putout during Friday’s game against Urbandale in the Brent Prange Classic. The Jaguars rolled to an 11-1 victory in six innings. (Photo by Dan Holm)

Ankeny Centennial, meanwhile, has been placed in Region 4. The Jaguars (16-11) are seeded fourth and will host a quarterfinal game against Des Moines North (0-12) on July 5 at 7 p.m.

The winner of that game will play at No. 4 Indianola (24-2) in a semifinal game on July 7 at 7 p.m. The Indians are the top seed in the region.

No. 13 Southeast Polk (16-7) hosts Ottumwa (17-8) in the other semifinal game. The highest remaining seed will host the regional final on July 10 at 7 p.m.