Split at S.E. Polk allows Jaguars to clinch ties for league title, school mark for wins

Ankeny Centennial’s Lucas Bruhl dives back to first base during the first game of Thursday’s doubleheader at Southeast Polk. The Jaguars split the twinbill to clinch at least a tie for the CIML Conference title. They also equaled the school record for most wins in a season. (Photo by Drue Wolfe)

The Ankeny Centennial baseball team finally found a way to beat CIML Conference rival Southeast Polk.

The top-ranked Jaguars held on for a 6-5 victory in the second game of Thursday’s doubleheader at No. 5 Southeast Polk, allowing them to salvage the finale of the three-game season series.

The win enabled Centennial to clinch at least a tie for the conference title. It also allowed the Jaguars to equal the school record for most wins in a season.

Centennial bounced back after dropping an 8-5 decision in the opener. The Jaguars are now 19-4 in the league and 28-5 overall, while Southeast Polk’s records are 13-10 and 25-12.

Ankeny Centennial’s Damin Churchman celebrates after hitting a double during the second game of Thursday’s doubleheader. He drove in two runs to help the Jaguars to a 6-5 victory. (Photo by Drue Wolfe)

Centennial can clinch the outright conference championship with a win on Monday at Waukee Northwest (18-20). No. 3 Johnston can earn a share of the crown with a victory at Southeast Polk if the Jaguars lose to Northwest.

Damin Churchman went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs for Centennial, which built a 6-3 lead after three innings. Isaac Bruhl went 2-for-3 and knocked in two runs, while Emerson Alberhasky doubled and had an RBI.

Joey Oakie stole two bases and drove in a run for the Jaguars.

Ankeny Centennial’s Preston Glatt throws a pitch during the nightcap of Thursday’s twinbill. He allowed four earned runs over the first four innings to improve his record to 3-0. (Photo by Drue Wolfe)

Preston Glatt (3-0) was the winning pitcher. He allowed four earned runs on three hits over the first four innings before Will Morris and Cole Grider finished the combined five-hitter.

In the first game, Southeast Polk used a three-run rally in the fourth inning to erase a 5-4 deficit. Jack Casey went 3-for-3 with a triple and four RBIs for the Rams.

Carson Medina beat Centennial for the second time this season. He allowed five earned runs on six hits and had six strikeouts over the first five innings before Cael Surprenant closed out the win with two hitless innings.

Easton Miller led off the game with a home run. He homered in his third consecutive at-bat after hitting a pair of roundtrippers in Wednesday’s win over No. 10 Ankeny.

**Ankeny Centennial’s Easton Miller hits the ball during Thursday’s doubleheader. He led off the first game with a home run. (Photo by Drue Wolfe)**

Grider also homered, his first of the year, and drove in two runs. Churchman went 2-for-3 and scored a run.

Sean Stewart and Lucas Bruhl each had an RBI.

Stewart (2-1) took the loss, allowing four earned runs over the first 3 1/3 innings. He gave up just one hit, but struggled with his control–walking five batters and hitting four others with pitches.

The Jaguars will play a non-conference doubleheader at Sioux City North (25-11) on Saturday.