The Ankeny Centennial softball team remains unbeaten in the CIML Conference, despite Monday’s loss at Waukee Northwest.
Ava Smith hit a walk-off home run with two outs in the ninth inning to give third-ranked Northwest a 2-1 victory over the No. 1 Jaguars. The contest was a non-conference game because the two teams had already played a conference doubleheader last week.
“It was a well-played game by both teams,” said Centennial coach Brett Delaney, whose squad swept the earlier twinbill. “I would say we’re two of the top teams in the state of Iowa. It was just little execution things here and there, and that game could have gone differently.”
Smith blasted her fifth homer of the season to improve the Wolves’ overall record to 17-6. Centennial dropped to 21-3.
Lauren Gustofson (6-1) took the loss for the Jaguars. She allowed two earned runs on five hits, walked none and had six strikeouts against the defending Class 5A state champions.
“Gus pitched her tail off,” Delaney said. “I couldn’t be more proud of her and the defense that was behind her.”
Centennial took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning on a homer by Jordyn Kennedy. It was her ninth of the year.
Northwest tied the game in the bottom of the frame.
“They answered with a single, bunted her to second and then got her in on a hit,” Delaney said.
Mackenzie James hit a leadoff double in the ninth for the Jaguars, but was left stranded.
“We had some opportunities,” Delaney said. “We left four runners on base throughout the game, but you’ve got to tip your cap to them. They played well.”
The two teams could meet again, most likely at the Class 5A state tournament.
“You would hope that you would get another opportunity to face a team like that down the road,” Delaney said. “It could be in Fort Dodge, but you never know, it could be sooner.”
The Jaguars will return to conference play on Wednesday, when they host a doubleheader against No. 7 Valley (21-6).
