The top-ranked Ankeny Centennial baseball team opened the season on Thursday with a 10-0 non-conference victory over visiting Gilbert in six innings.The Jaguars used a seven-run fourth inning to build a 9-0 lead and then walked off with the win in the sixth.
“We got good pitching, really good defense, and we hit the ball at the right time,” said Centennial coach Mark Hey.
Sophomore Will Morris allowed four hits over the first five innings and had five strikeouts. Tripp Rawlings struck out two of the three batters he faced in the sixth to complete the shutout.
“I thought Will looked really good,” Hey said of Morris, who also had a triple at the plate. “He mixed his pitches really well.”
Joey Oakie went 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs to lead the Jaguars’ offense. Sean Stewart also drove in three runs, including a walk-off walk to end the game.
Preston Glatt and Leyton Kolln each had an RBI. Kohen Bollwinkel walked twice and scored three times.
“Gilbert had a pretty good pitcher, but eventually we got to him,” Hey said.
The Jaguars will play another non-conference game on Friday against Des Moines Roosevelt (0-2). The contest will be played at Walt Anderson Field in Rippey, the home of former Ankeny coach Mel Murken.
“It’s very special to play up there with Mel’s connection to Ankeny,” Hey said. “It’s always good to see him.”
