No. 5 Centennial uses 8-run 3rd inning to win nightcap, salvages split at Valley

Ankeny Centennial’s Trae Houser hits the ball during Wednesday’s doubleheader at Valley. He had four hits on the night as the Jaguars split the twinbill, posting a 13-6 victory in the nightcap after dropping the opener, 6-5, in eight innings. (Photo courtesy of Jerrad Downer)

The Ankeny Centennial baseball team earned a split of Wednesday’s doubleheader at Valley with a 13-6 victory in the second game.

The fifth-ranked Jaguars, who dropped a 6-5 decision in eight innings in the opener, are now 2-2 in the CIML Conference and 6-2 overall. Valley’s records are 1-3 and 4-6.

Centennial used an eight-run third inning to build a 9-2 lead in the nightcap. The Jaguars pounded out 12 hits, including five doubles.

**Ankeny Centennial’s Sean Stewart drops down a** **bunt during the first game of Wednesday’s doubleheader. (Photo** **courtesy of Jerrad Downer)**

Jackson Reed went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and three RBIs. Preston Glatt doubled and drove in three runs, Emerson Alberhasky went 2-for-3 with a double, and Leyton Kolln also doubled and knocked in a run.

Trae Houser went 3-for-4 and had one RBI. Kohen Bollwinkel drove in a pair of runs.

Tripp Rawlings (1-0) earned the victory, combining with Elijah Starr on a seven-hitter. Rawlings allowed two earned runs on four hits over the first four innings, walked four and had three strikeouts.

Ankeny Centennial’s Tripp Rawlings throws a pitch during the nightcap of Wednesday’s twinbill. He earned the win for the Jaguars, allowing two earned runs over the first four innings. (Photo courtesy of Jerrad Downer)

Valley overcame an early 3-0 deficit to win the first game. The Tigers scored two runs in the sixth to take a 5-4 lead, then later walked off with the victory after Centennial scored a run in the seventh to force extra innings.

Carter Smalley (0-1) took the loss in relief of Colton Arndt. He allowed one earned run on three hits over the last three-plus innings.

Bollwinkel went 3-for-4 and drove in a run in the loss. Sean Stewart and Glatt each went 2-for-4 and had an RBI.