Dowling rallies to force extra innings, then erupts for 9-3 victory over Hawks

Ankeny batter Jack Goodwin swings at a pitch during Monday’s game against visiting Dowling Catholic. Goodwin went 1-for-2 with two walks and scored two runs as the Hawks dropped a 9-3 decision in nine innings. (Photo courtesy of Jerrad Downer)

The Ankeny baseball team appeared to be on the verge of a huge victory on Monday night.

But sixth-ranked Dowling Catholic refused to go away quietly.

The host Hawks scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth to break a 1-1 tie, but Dowling then answered with two in the seventh to force extra innings. The Maroons later erupted for six runs in the ninth to post a 9-3 win in the CIML Conference opener for both teams.

“We did exactly what we thought we’d have to do to win that game,” said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz, whose team dropped to 1-4 overall. “You take a two-run lead with Zach (Halverson) on the mound, you’ll take it. We just didn’t execute at the end.”

**Ankeny’s Zach Halverson throws a pitch during Monday’s game. He allowed three earned runs on eight hits over the first 6 1/3 innings. (Photo courtesy of Jerrad Downer)**

Will Davies (0-1) took the loss in relief of Halverson, who allowed three earned runs on eight hits over the first 6 1/3 innings. He also had two strikeouts.

The Maroons capitalized on Ankeny’s defensive mistakes to score four unearned runs off Davies in the ninth.

“We gave them some extra outs,” Balvanz said. “When you give a good team five outs, they’re going to take advantage of it.”

Jack Barrett went 2-for-4 and drove in three runs as Dowling (3-0) remained unbeaten. Nick Frerichs went 4-for-6, scored a run and knocked in another for the Maroons.

Davies went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs in the loss. Blake Morgan went 2-for-3.

**Ankeny runner Karsten Bernholtz races to third base during Monday’s game. (Photo courtesy of Jerrad Downer)**

Dowling starter Trever Baumler needed 65 pitches to get through the first four innings. A TCU commit and the younger brother of Baltimore Orioles minor leaguer Carter Baumler, he allowed one run on four hits and had eight strikeouts while also going 3-for-5 at the plate with a double.

“I thought we had some good at-bats against Baumler,” Balvanz said. “We wanted to see what Dowling had behind him, but their lefty came in and did a nice job.”

Jack Clendenin tossed the final five innings, allowing two runs on five hits while fanning four.

“It’s disappointing to lose a game like that when you’re up 3-1, but we’ll get back to work and go see what we can do on Wednesday at Waukee,” Balvanz said. “I still think we’ve got a chance to be a pretty tough out when we get to July. That’s when we want to be playing our best baseball.”