The Ankeny baseball team pounded out 21 hits and swept a CIML Iowa Conference doubleheader against visiting Mason City on Tuesday.
The Hawks posted an 11-1 victory in six innings in the opener, then completed the sweep with a 15-5 triumph in five innings. They improved to 3-1 in the conference and 4-3 overall, while Mason City’s records dropped to 1-3 and 4-4.
“We were much better situationally with our hitting tonight,” said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. “We didn’t strike out as much, and we took some walks. I was really happy to see the guys make those adjustments. The game is starting to slow down for our guys.”
Tamden Webb-Tate went 4-for-4 and drove in three runs in the first game. Max Watson went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs.
Alex Griess (2-0) earned the win, allowing no earned runs on just two hits. He walked two and racked up nine strikeouts.
“We pitched the ball really well,” Balvanz said.
In the nightcap, Dylan Schlee (2-0) combined with three relievers on a three-hitter. Schlee threw just 34 pitches over the first two innings, giving him an opportunity to take the mound again on Thursday when the Hawks host another conference doubleheader against Ankeny Centennial (3-4).
Webb-Tate doubled and drove in three runs, while Carson Agan also had three RBIs. Thomas DeBrower went 2-for-2 with a triple and drove in two runs.
Jack Clevidence went 2-for-4 and also had a triple. Reid Johnson went 2-for-2 and knocked in a run.
“The boys played well,” Balvanz said. “It was a good night for us.”
