Cael Boyd appears to be a perfect fit for the leadoff hitter’s role on the Ankeny baseball team.
Boyd sparked the Hawks to a 13-0 victory at Saydel in five innings in their season opener on Thursday. The sophomore outfielder went 2-for-2 with a double, walked twice, stole three bases and scored four runs.
“Cael did a really nice job of setting the table for us,” said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. “He’s really built for that leadoff role. If you don’t pay attention to him, he turns a walk into a triple.”
Ankeny took a 4-0 lead in the first inning, then added five runs in the second, one in the third and three more in the fourth. The Hawks pounded out nine hits, including four doubles, off Saydel pitchers Logan Carney and Austin Pyles.
Carter Smith went 2-for-4 with a double and knocked in three runs. Weston Fulk also had a double and three RBIs.
“The boys came out and were really the aggressor right away,” Balvanz said. “We took advantage of a couple early walks and just kept the pressure on them.”
Ankeny pitchers Brody Brecht and Fulk combined on a one-hitter. Brecht earned the win, tossing three hitless innings with seven strikeouts.