There’s an old adage that says it’s difficult to beat an opponent three times in the same season.
The Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team proved otherwise on Saturday.
The Eagles opened postseason play with an 11-1 victory over Bluegrass Conference rival Murray in six innings in a Class 1A district quarterfinal at Northview Park. The Mustangs (4-19) had lost to ACA twice earlier this season, 20-2 and 15-3.
“We were confident we could win–as we are in every game–but knew with Tyler Mahoney on the mound he was going to throw a great game, and he delivered,” said ACA coach Craig Dueker, whose team improved to 15-11. “It was a tough night to pitch with it raining off and on, but Tyler pounded the strike zone, got nine strikeouts and kept the hitters off balance.”
Mahoney (5-5) allowed just three hits and a pair of walks. He needed only 77 pitches to get through six innings.
ACA took a 3-0 lead in the first inning, then added four runs in the third. After Murray scored an unearned run in the top of the sixth, the Eagles answered with four runs in the bottom of the frame to end the game.
Eli Christensen went 4-for-5 with a double to lead ACA’s offense. He stole six bases, scored two runs and drove in three more.
“The rain also made it tough to hit, but Eli came through for us,” Dueker said. “Overall, it was a good, solid win in tough conditions.”
Landon Nehring also doubled and scored a pair of runs. Landon Curtis, Brody Hoefle and Daniel Schoening each had an RBI for the Eagles.
ACA will play Grand View Christian (16-7) in a district semifinal on Wednesday at Northview Park at 7 p.m. The Thunder advanced with a 4-0 win over Wayne (Corydon).
The Eagles lost to Grand View Christian, 5-1, on June 12.
“This will probably be a low-scoring battle that will be decided on a couple plays so we need to play sharp,” Dueker said. “I am looking forward to this game. We should have a great crowd and environment. It is going to be fun!”
