The first three batters in the Ankeny softball team’s lineup are all slap hitters.
Ankeny coach Dave Bingham calls them “The Slap Squad”.
That trio of Larissa Miller, Eva Fulk and Mariah Parton ignited the Hawkettes to a doubleheader sweep over visiting Mason City on Tuesday.
They combined for seven hits, six runs scored and six RBIs in the first game as Ankeny rolled to a 10-0 victory in five innings.
“I think they were on base 11 out of 12 times,” said Bingham. “They did a really good job. They just get on base, and we use our speed. This might be one of the most dangerous running teams that I’ve had.”
Miller went 4-for-4, Fulk went 2-for-3 and Parton went 1-for-3. They each drove in two runs.
“It was definitely a lot of fun,” Bingham said.
Kendra Winfrey (2-1) earned the win, allowing two hits over the first four innings and recording three strikeouts. She also knocked in a run.
Ankeny then completed the sweep with a 7-4 win in the nightcap. Ashtyn Billings (1-1) tossed a seven-hitter and had five strikeouts.
The Hawkettes used a four-run fourth inning to erase a 4-3 deficit.
“Ashtyn pretty much cruised from there,” Bingham said.
Parton and Jadyn Filling each had two RBIs in the win. Fulk went 2-for-4 with a double, and Miller added one RBI.
Ankeny improved to 2-2 in the CIML Iowa Conference and 3-2 overall. Mason City’s records dropped to 0-4 and 2-4.
The Hawkettes will host another conference twinbill on Thursday against second-ranked Ankeny Centennial (3-3).
