A 10-run first inning helped the seventh-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy baseball team to an 11-0 victory at Ankeny in five innings on Saturday.
The Cougars improved to 5-1 on the season. Ankeny dropped to 1-3.
“It was a strange deal,” said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. “They just hit it where we weren’t. They scored five runs before we got an out.”
Kennedy’s Nolan Grawe went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Grant Mather and Colton Duerling also drove in two runs apiece.
Nick Meyer (0-1) took the loss. He allowed seven runs on seven hits before Balvanz went to his bullpen.
Evan Irlmeier went 2-for-2 for the Hawks. Carson Agan had a double.
Winning pitcher Rowan Donels allowed four hits over the first 4 2/3 innings and had nine strikeouts. The Iowa recruit also went 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs.
“He was pretty tough,” Balvanz said. “He threw in the low 90s with a nasty slider.”
The Hawks will host a doubleheader against No. 1 Dowling Catholic (4-0) on Monday. It will be the CIML Conference opener for both teams.
