Hawks use 3-run 7th inning to beat Waukee, but Warriors salvage split

Ankeny’s Karsten Bernholtz makes a putout at first base to retire Waukee batter Carter Johnson during the second game of Wednesday’s doubleheader at Waukee. The Warriors posted a 6-2 victory to earn a split of the twinbill after Ankeny won the opener, 7-4. (Photo courtesy of Jerrad Downer)

The Ankeny baseball team scored three runs in the seventh inning to post a 7-4 victory in the first game of a doubleheader on Wednesday at Waukee.

The Warriors then followed with a 6-2 win in the nightcap to earn a split of the twinbill. They are now 2-1 in the CIML Conference and 4-2 overall, while Ankeny’s records are 1-2 and 2-5.

“We didn’t play poorly at all,” said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. “It was nice to get a CIML road win in the column, and we had a chance to get a sweep. But the margin for error is really small in this league, and you’ve got to tip your cap to Waukee. They kept us from getting the sweep.”

Blake Morgan doubled and drove in two runs in the opener.

“We had a lead, gave it back, then we responded,” Balvanz said. “Morgan had the big hit to break it back open, then (Travis) Gerstel came in in the seventh and did a nice job of finishing out that game.”

**Ankeny’s Blake Morgan connects with a pitch during the second game of Wednesday’s doubleheader. (Photo courtesy of Jerrad Downer)**

Ryan Buffington (1-2) earned the win in relief of Will Davies, who allowed two earned runs on five hits and had four strikeouts over the first five innings. Davies also drove in a run.

“I thought Davies threw really well in his first start,” Balvanz said.

Ankeny’s Charlie Voigt hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning.

“I asked Charlie to bunt, and he couldn’t get it down,” Balvanz said. “And then I thought we’d see what he could do, and he hit it out right under the scoreboard in right field.”

In the second game, the Hawks held a 2-1 lead before Waukee scored three runs in the fourth and two more in the fifth.

**Ankeny’s Jack Clevidence pitches to Waukee batter Hunter Reed during the nightcap of Wednesday’s twinbill. (Photo courtesy of Jerrad Downer)**

Jack Clevidence (0-1) took the loss, allowing four earned runs on eight hits over the first four innings. He had five strikeouts.

“Clev was sharp the first few innings, but they did a nice job of making some adjustments,” Balvanz said of the Warriors. “They put together some really good at-bats.”

Waukee’s Braeden Billings scattered four hits and had five strikeouts. Gavin de Jesus went 2-for-4 and drove in two runs for the Warriors.

Morgan and Samuel Sandvig each had an RBI for Ankeny. Evan Irlmeier added a double.

The Hawks will host Davenport North (3-1) at 11 a.m. and North Polk (3-1) at 1:30 p.m. in the Tim Heggen Classic on Saturday.