On two separate occasions this season, the Ankeny softball team’s record dipped to the .500 mark after going through a difficult stretch.
Each time, the Hawkettes responded with a winning streak.
After getting off to a 5-0 start this season, Ankeny dropped its next five games before going on another five-game winning streak.
Now, after falling to 15-15 earlier in the week, the Hawkettes have reeled off four straight victories. They defeated Fairfield, 11-0, in five innings before posting a 4-3 win over Ottumwa at the Ottumwa Invitational on Friday.
Ankeny (19-15) is now guaranteed to finish the regular season with a winning record. The Hawkettes have three games left before playing at Ankeny Centennial in a Class 5A regional semifinal on July 10.
“Going into the postseason, I think our team is confident in our abilities,” said junior pitcher Ashtyn Billings. “We all love the game so much and want to have fun while also staying grounded and dialed in to each and every play. Having good mental strategies is also helping us, and I think that is one of the big reasons that we are going in the direction that we are currently!”
Billings (7-4) tossed a one-hitter in the win over Fairfield (20-12). She walked none and had four strikeouts in a 56-pitch outing.
The Hawkettes handed Billings a huge lead early in the game.
“After scoring 10 runs in the first inning, I definitely had some momentum to go out and throw,” Billings said. “I just wanted to help my team and keep those 10 runs without giving up any and also having fun in the process!”
Madeleine Murphy and Shelby Romig each went 3-for-3 in the win. Murphy scored two runs and drove in two more, while Romig had a double and one RBI.
Gillian Overturf went 2-for-3 with a homer and two RBIs. She has hit five of Ankeny’s 13 home runs this season.
Mariah Parton went 2-for-2 and scored twice. All nine of the Hawkettes’ starters drove in at least one run.
Praze Buchan went 2-for-3 with one RBI in the win over Ottumwa (20-13). Larissa Miller doubled and knocked in a run.
Kendra Winfrey (11-6) was the winning pitcher, combining with Billings on a six-hitter. Winfrey allowed two earned runs over 5 1/3 innings and had two strikeouts.
Ankeny can match its longest winning streak of the season with a victory over visiting North Polk (13-13) on Saturday. The game begins at 6 p.m.
