The Ankeny Centennial softball team was just three outs away from knocking off the top-ranked squad in Class 4A on Thursday night.
The 11th-ranked Jaguars took a 6-5 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning during a non-conference game at Carlisle. But they couldn’t close the deal.
The Wildcats scored the tying run in the seventh to force extra innings, then later pushed across another run in the ninth to post a 7-6 victory. They improved to 9-1 on the season, while Centennial’s record fell to 9-3.
Ella Schulz had another huge game in a losing effort, going 3-for-5 with two doubles and three RBIs. She is now batting .548 on the season with nine doubles and 20 RBIs.
Schulz is tied for the state lead in doubles with Jalen Adams and Tristin Doster, both of Fort Dodge. She is tied for third in the state in RBIs.
Sydney Morris went 2-for-4 and drove in two runs. Mackenzie James went 3-for-4 and knocked in a run.
Franie Burnett doubled and scored three times for the Jaguars. Lizzy Klunder also had a double.
Maggie Fisher (2-2) took the loss after relieving starter Madi Huisman in the third inning. She allowed two earned runs on six hits over six innings of work.
Centennial will host a doubleheader against No. 6 Valley (9-1) on Friday.
