The Ankeny softball team opened the season on Monday with a walk-off loss.
The fifth-ranked Hawkettes dropped a 2-1 decision at Norwalk when Nyah Hulbert drove in the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Warriors are ranked No. 2 in Class 4A.
“At the end of the day we’ve just got to hit better,” said Ankeny coach Dave Bingham. “We had only four hits, and that wasn’t good enough. So I need to make an adjustment as a coach. If we want to be a championship team, we’re going to have to hit better.”
Abby Rusher went the distance for Ankeny in the pitcher’s circle. She allowed two earned runs on six hits, walked two and had seven strikeouts.
“Abby looked as good as she always does,” Bingham said. “But in the seventh we gave up a hit and a walk, and then with two outs (Hulbert) hit a 1-2 pitch and found the gap in right-center and we couldn’t throw (the runner) out. You’ve got to tip your cap to them.”
Norwalk’s Jaylynn Brandt went 2-for-2 in the win. She knocked in the game’s first run in the third inning.
Ankeny tied it up in the top of the seventh. Lily Hans singled, stole second and scored on a hit by Ava Tomlinson.
“It was a great opening night. We had to really grind to tie it up,” Bingham said. “Ava had a really good night. She came through in the clutch.”
Norwalk’s Carly Brewer had five strikeouts over the first 6 1/3 innings. Olivia Dougherty came in and got the final two outs in the seventh to earn the win.
Avery Nelson and Kensington Arringdale had Ankeny’s other hits.
The Hawkettes will open CIML Conference play on Wednesday with a doubleheader at Waukee.
