Adamson tosses gem to complete Ankeny’s twinbill sweep over J-Hawks

Ankeny rightfielder Karsten Bernholtz fields a base hit during the first game of Thursday’s doubleheader against visiting Urbandale. The Hawks swept the twinbill by scores of 12-5 and 4-1. (Photo courtesy of Jerrad Downer)

Ankeny pitcher Brock Adamson appears to be ready for the postseason.

Adamson allowed just one hit and had nine strikeouts over the first 6 2/3 innings as the 10th-ranked Hawks posted a 4-1 victory over visiting Urbandale to complete a sweep of a CIML Conference baseball doubleheader on Thursday. He raised his record to 7-2 on the season.

The senior lefthander, who could get the start in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal against Norwalk on July 7, gave up an unearned run in the seventh inning. After throwing 110 pitches, Adamson was replaced by Travis Gerstel, who allowed a walk before getting the final out of the game.

**The seniors on the Ankeny baseball team were honored on Thursday night. (Photo courtesy of Jerrad Downer)**

Max Watson went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs in the win. Kinnick Vos also went 2-for-3 and drove in a run.

Ben Sandvig went 2-for-2 with a triple, scored two runs and knocked in another. He was among the players honored on Senior Night.

Ankeny used an eight-run third inning to win the opener, 12-5. Jack Clevidence (2-0) earned the victory, allowing two earned runs on two hits while recording three strikeouts over the first three innings.

**Ankeny reliever Nick Meyer pitches to an Urbandale batter during the opener of Thursday’s twinbill. (Photo courtesy of Jerrad Downer)**

Clevidence also went 2-for-3 and drove in a run. Watson went 3-for-4 and had two RBIs.

Evan Irlmeier scored two runs and knocked in three more for the Hawks. Drew Taylor had two RBIs.

Sandvig, Reid Johnson and Brady Lynch each drove in a run. Sandvig also stole two bases and scored twice.

Ankeny’s Evan Irlmeier races to first base after hitting a grounder during the first game of Thursday’s doubleheader. He scored two runs and drove in three more in the Hawks’ 12-5 victory. (Photo courtesy of Jerrad Downer)

Ankeny avenged a 21-6 loss at Urbandale in four innings on June 8. J-Hawks’ star Sam Harris went 5-for-5 with two homers, a double and eight RBIs in that game, but has since left the team to begin his college career at Duke.

The Hawks improved to 11-12 in the league and 19-17 overall. Urbandale, which has lost six straight games, dropped to 7-16 and 17-20.

Ankeny will host Valley (12-20) in its conference finale on Monday. The two teams split a twinbill at Valley on June 12.