It’s hard for a team to build some confidence when it’s struggling to win games.
That’s why Monday’s doubleheader at Ames may have been a turning point for the Ankeny Centennial baseball team.
The Jaguars won both games of the CIML Iowa Conference twinbill for only their second sweep of the season. They posted a 5-0 victory in the opener, then followed with a 10-1 triumph in the nightcap.
“The boys are starting to grow and get more confidence in what they’re doing,” said Centennial coach Mark Hey. “It’s kind of fun to watch them when they’re all clicking.”
Joey Oakie and Damin Churchman combined for 20 strikeouts as Centennial improved to 4-4 in the conference and 9-10 overall. The Little Cyclones’ records dropped to 2-6 and 10-8.
“We got some really good pitching,” Hey said. “Oakie and Churchman were the starters, and we had some good relief, too.”
Oakie (1-1) allowed just two hits and had nine strikeouts over the first four innings in the first game. Kaden Stewart and Luke McGrath then followed with three hitless innings, combining for seven more strikeouts.
“That was Kaden’s first action of the season because he’s had some arm issues,” Hey said. “He threw a great inning, and that’s all we wanted to see from him.”
Jackson Powell went 2-for-3 for the Jaguars. Oakie had a double, while Easton Miller and Ian McGhiey each drove in a run.
Kyle Miller went 2-for-3 and had one RBI. He then went 2-for-4 and knocked in a run in the second game.
“Kyle had a nice night,” Hey said. “We hit the ball pretty well–we had 18 hits in the doubleheader. The bats are starting to come around, which is good.”
Oakie went 2-for-3 and had two RBIs, while Easton Miller doubled and drove in two runs. Gabe Murphy also doubled and had one RBI.
Gabriel Monosmith added another double for the Jaguars.
“The middle of our order continues to be very productive,” Hey said. “We’re just having good at-bats all the way up and down the lineup. Gabe (Murphy) is starting to swing the bat really well down in the 9 hole, and that’s good to see.”
Churchman (1-3) earned the victory, allowing no earned runs on four hits and recording 11 strikeouts over the first five innings. Easton Pratt then tossed two hitless innings to close out the game.
The Jaguars will host an Iowa Conference doubleheader against Mason City (6-2, 11-5) on Wednesday.
