Senior pitcher Sam Klug has helped the 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team to a 22-7 record.
Klug has compiled a 6-4 mark with a 2.56 ERA. She has racked up 81 strikeouts while allowing just 13 walks in 63 innings of work.
Here is some inside info on Klug:
Congratulations on an outstanding season thus far. What has been the highlight for you?
I think the highlight for me as a senior had to be Senior Night (against Marshalltown on Wednesday) when all nine seniors got to take the field together for one last time. Everything about the game was fun, exciting and a special moment that we all got to share together.
You are averaging nine strikeouts per game this season, 2.7 more than you did last year. To what do you attribute your higher strikeout rate? Are you throwing the ball harder?
During the offseason I was a one-sport athlete for the first time, making softball my priority. I made it one of my goals before the school season started to gain size and strength which allowed me to gain speed and control. The other thing that has made me a better pitcher this year are my coaches, my catchers and my teammates pushing me to always give my best.
Does it seem like things are back to normal this season after your team survived last year’s campaign that was affected by COVID-19 in many different ways?
Even though last year was different and challenging we still came together as a team, stayed healthy and competed all the way to a third-place finish at state. This year feels normal in every way. We are able to have all parts of our season this year including fans, riding the bus as a team, and team dinners.
Your team’s lineup has been strengthened by the addition of two talented freshmen, Payton Drefke and Addi Starr, who are currently batting .471 and .377, respectively. Did you expect them to contribute so much this season?
Payton and Addi always showed up to offseason workouts with a great attitude and always strived to compete and be the best that they can. Addi played with us throughout the fall season and meshed well with our team. Seeing her succeed in this school ball season isn’t surprising, but it’s exciting to watch. I’m not surprised by Payton’s success because we’ve always noticed her hard work and dedication so it was awesome to see her take the opportunity she was given and play at such a high level.
You had 16 strikeouts in a 6-4 win at Ames in 10 innings on June 14. Did you realize how many strikeouts you had at the time?
When I’m pitching in the game I don’t keep track of my stats; I felt that I was pitching well and doing my part to help the team win. I didn’t realize until after the game when one of my teammates made a comment about how many strikeouts I had.
You threw 148 pitches in that game. How were you feeling afterwards?
I felt strong throughout the entire game and once it was over I was very proud of the way I pitched and the way that the team came together for the victory.
You’ve lost a couple of close games to second-ranked Fort Dodge, including a 1-0 decision at Fort Dodge on June 21. Despite the outcomes, you obviously had some success against the Dodgers’ potent lineup. What was the key to keeping them under control?
I think the key for keeping them under control was trusting that my pitching coach (Jordan Gronewold) was calling the correct pitches for me and being sure to hit my spots. Also having trust in my defense that they would make the plays that were needed when the time came.
After placing third in last year’s Class 5A state tournament, do you think your team can make another run at a state title?
Absolutely! We put a lot of work in throughout the offseason, and our team’s goal has been to win the state title since the beginning of December when our offseason work started.
Your team will play a doubleheader at Ankeny on Monday, then will host the Hawkettes in a Class 5A regional semifinal on July 10 in the first-ever postseason meeting between the crosstown rivals. What was your reaction when you found out that you’d be playing Ankeny again?
Collectively as a team, winning the first regional game is the first step to making it to the state tournament and winning a state title. We all know that this is just another game that we have to win, and that’s all we’re focused on.
Coach Brett Delaney has said that Fort Dodge is a team that you’ll have to beat in order to win a championship. You guys did win one of your four games against the Dodgers this season, handing them one of their four losses. What would it take to do it again?
It will take every player doing their job both offensively and defensively for us to come out on top. As a team we have shown that we can compete with them, and when we face them at state we’ll have to have tremendous defense and a strong offense that will put runs on the board.
Fort Dodge knocked your team off in last year’s semifinals. Would you like a chance to avenge that loss?
Yes, we know that we have to beat Fort Dodge to win a state title and that is our plan.
Are you planning to play softball in college? What are you going to study?
No, I do not plan to play softball in college. I’m going to the University of Iowa to study pre-business and pre-med.