‘The wheels kind of fell off’: Bettendorf defeats Hawks with 7-run 7th inning

Ankeny’s Kinnick Vos celebrates after scoring a run during Thursday’s game against visiting Bettendorf. The Hawks dropped an 11-5 decision in the non-conference game. (Photo courtesy of Jerrad Downer)

Visiting Bettendorf erupted for seven runs in the seventh inning and defeated the Ankeny baseball team, 11-5, in a non-conference game on Thursday.

It was the home opener for the Hawks, who dropped to 1-2 on the season.

“The wheels kind of fell off at the end,” said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. “It took us 74 pitches to get through the sixth and seventh innings. We just ran out of bullets.”

Ankeny’s Jack Clevidence throws a pitch during Thursday’s game. Clevidence received a no-decision after allowing one earned run on four hits over the first five innings. (Photo courtesy of Jerrad Downer)

Ryan Buffington (0-1) took the loss in relief of Jack Clevidence, who allowed just one earned run and four hits over the first five innings while racking up six strikeouts.

“I thought Clev really battled,” Balvanz said. “We were competitive with them. They just got some timely hits, and we didn’t.”

Wrigley Matthys doubled and drove in three runs for Bettendorf (2-0). Drew Reed went 2-for-2, scored three times and knocked in a pair of runs.

**Ankeny’s Henry Ha rips one of his two hits during Thursday’s game. He scored a run and drove in another for the Hawks. (Photo courtesy of Jerrad Downer)**

Ankeny’s Henry Ha went 2-for-2 in the loss. He scored a run and drove in another.

Karsten Bernholtz and Carson Riggs each had an RBI for the Hawks, who will play a non-conference game at fifth-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy (4-0) on Saturday.

“Right now we’re struggling to string hits together, but we’ll get there,” Balvanz said.