The Ankeny Centennial softball team continues to play well under pressure.
Lauren Solis scored the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the 11th-ranked Jaguars a 5-4 victory over visiting Carlisle in a non-conference game on Tuesday. Carlisle is the No. 4 team in Class 4A.
Centennial is now 2-0 in extra innings and 6-0 in one-run games. The Jaguars improved to 13-4 on the season, while Carlisle’s record dropped to 14-6.
Solis reached second on an error with one out to ignite Centennial’s winning rally. After Addi Starr was intentionally walked, Mackenzie James singled for her third hit of the game to load the bases.
Sydney Morris then hit a line drive that bounced out of the left fielder’s glove, allowing Solis to race home from third.
Jenna Wendt (1-1) pitched three scoreless innings in relief of Lauren Gustofson to earn the win. She allowed three hits and two walks while recording two strikeouts.
Centennial scored three runs in the fourth inning to take a 3-1 lead. Gustofson hit an RBI single to tie the game, then Solis followed with a two-run double.
After Carlisle answered with three runs in the fifth to regain a 4-3 advantage, the Jaguars tied it in the bottom of the frame on a solo home run by Lizzy Klunder. It was her first homer of the year.
James went 3-for-4 in the win. Gustofson and Solis each went 2-for-4.
Centennial will host a CIML Iowa Conference doubleheader against Mason City (4-15) on Wednesday.
