The Ankeny softball team’s winning streak finally came to an end on Monday night.
But not until after the 15th-ranked Hawkettes proved that they can play with one of the state’s best squads.
Ankeny posted a 2-1 victory at No. 4 Fort Dodge in nine innings before the Dodgers rebounded to win the nightcap of a doubleheader, 9-4. That loss ended the Hawkettes’ nine-game winning streak.
“The overall landscape in Class 5A is pretty tight,” said Ankeny coach Dave Bingham. “It’s going to come down to kids making great plays. There were so many great plays tonight on both sides. (Shortstop Larissa) Miller made a diving catch in the sixth inning of a 9-4 game that was just outstanding. We competed hard until the end, and I’m proud of that.”
Ankeny won the opener as sophomore Abby Rusher (2-1) outdueled all-state pitcher Jalen Adams, Iowa’s Gatorade player of the year. Rusher tossed a five-hitter and had five strikeouts.
“Abby did a good job,” Bingham said. “She pitched well, but I don’t think she had her best stuff, so that’s kind of exciting.”
Each team scored a run in the third inning. The Hawkettes had some chances to regain the lead, but were unable to capitalize until the ninth inning.
“I probably had a chance to get us some more runs, and we were maybe too aggressive,” Bingham said. “We could have put it away earlier.”
Adams allowed six hits and four walks while fanning eight batters. She gave up a walk in the ninth inning to Ashtyn Billings, who stole second base and then came home on a single by Kennedy Palmer.
“Palmer came through with a huge base hit to get it done for us,” Bingham said. “And then Abby went out there in the bottom of the ninth and shut them down–popup, strikeout, grounder to end it.”
Ankeny’s Eva Fulk went 2-for-3 with a triple and one RBI. Miller went 2-for-4 and scored a run.
Rylee Riesberg had the other hit for the Hawkettes, who lost all four meetings against Fort Dodge by a 47-9 margin last year. The Dodgers went on to win the Class 5A state title.
“We threatened about every inning, so that was encouraging,” Bingham said. “Adams is one of the most dominant pitchers in the state.”
Ankeny jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning of the second game before Fort Dodge answered with four runs in the bottom of the frame. The Dodgers never trailed again.
Kendra Winfrey (5-2), one of four pitchers used by the Hawkettes in the game, took the loss.
“We didn’t hold it together,” Bingham said. “We’d like to put together sweeps against good teams, and I think that’ll be our next step. It’s coming. I do think we’re in a zone right now. We’re playing well, but I still feel like our best softball is ahead of us so I’m excited about that.”
Adams went 4-for-4 with a double and scored three runs for the Dodgers. Tory Bennett went 3-for-3 and had four RBIs.
Mariah Parton went 2-for-4 and scored a run for Ankeny. Winfrey doubled and had one RBI, while Miller went 1-for-2 and scored two runs.
The Hawkettes are now 7-5 in the CIML Iowa Conference and 12-5 overall. Fort Dodge’s records are 7-3 and 12-4.
Ankeny will host a conference doubleheader against No. 2 Waukee Northwest (14-2) on Thursday. The Hawkettes were swept in the season opener at Northwest on May 23.
