After being ranked fourth in the Class 4A preseason rankings, the Ankeny Centennial baseball team got off to a slow start this season, posting a 7-9 record in its first 16 games.
Since then, the Jaguars have been unbeatable.
Centennial used a three-run sixth inning to beat visiting Dowling Catholic, 6-3, in a non-conference game on Friday. The Maroons (21-11) are ranked third.
It was the 12th straight victory for Centennial, which improved its record to 19-9. The Jaguars are currently unranked, but will likely move into the next rankings on Monday.
Joey Oakie (2-3) tossed a six-hitter to earn the win. The sophomore righthander allowed just one earned run and had nine strikeouts.
After Dowling took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, the Jaguars answered with three runs in the bottom of the frame. Kyle Miller drew a one-out walk and later advanced to third on a two-out infield hit by Nick Severson, then Damin Churchman cleared the bases with his third home run of the season.
The Maroons tied the game in the top of the sixth, but Centennial then responded in the bottom half. Sean Stewart started the rally with a walk and stole second, then advanced to third on a one-out single by Lucas Bruhl.
A balk allowed Stewart to score the go-ahead run. Gavin Wiese doubled to drive in Bruhl and then came home on another double by Easton Miller.
Severson went 3-for-4 and also had a double. Bruhl went 2-for-3.
Drew Mauro went 2-for-3 and drove in a run for Dowling, while Trever Baumler had a double. Kaden Marso took the loss for the Maroons, allowing six earned runs on eight hits over the first 5 1/3 innings while recording eight strikeouts.
Centennial will play two games in the Brent Prange Classic on Saturday at Johnston. The Jaguars will face Sioux City Heelan (19-11) at 2:30 p.m. and Coon Rapids-Bayard (21-3), the No. 8 team in Class 1A, at 4:45 p.m.
