The Ankeny baseball team allowed just six hits in a game against visiting Johnston on Thursday.
But the top-ranked Dragons took advantage of six walks and six hit by pitches to post a 7-3 victory, extending their winning streak to 21 games dating back to last season.
“We gave them 12 or 13 free bases, and that’s an experienced lineup of juniors and seniors,” Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz said of the Dragons. “They’ve played in multiple state tournament games. If you give them that many opportunities to put runs on the board, it’s going to be challenging to beat them at their game.”
Johnston, the two-time defending Class 4A state champion, improved to 6-0 in the CIML Conference and 13-0 overall. The Hawks’ records dropped to 1-3 and 5-7.
The Dragons took a 3-0 lead in the third inning against Ankeny starter Zach Halverson (0-3). One run scored on a bases-loaded hit by pitch, a second run scored on a double-play grounder, and the final run scored while another Johnston runner got caught in a rundown.
“They scored those first three runs without a hit,” Balvanz said.
The Hawks answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. Evan Irlmeier doubled to drive in Samuel Sandvig and eventually came home on a wild pitch.
Irlmeier went 3-for-3 on the night.
“Evan was just grinding at the plate,” Balvanz said. “He did an outstanding job.”
The fourth inning featured a controversial call. Johnston had an apparent two-run single taken off the board due to a runner’s interference call, which the Dragons disputed.
“I saw the runner make enough contact with (shortstop) Kinnick (Vos) to knock his hat off, which is why I went and asked,” Balvanz said. “It took (the umpires) a minute to figure it out, but I think they got the call right. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen that play in over a decade (of coaching).”
Johnston went on to score two runs in the inning anyway. Halverson allowed three earned runs on four hits over four-plus innings before being relieved by freshman Hunter Minner, who had four strikeouts over the final three frames.
“I thought Zach battled,” Balvanz said. “But if you miss by much, you’re going to put a guy on first. That’s the brand of baseball they play. They do a lot of winning. They’re a good program, and they’re going to have a state caliber team again this year.”
Johnston’s Blake Lundholm went 2-for-3 and scored two runs. Max Mincks drove in two runs, and Adam Kayko added an RBI double.
Minner allowed two earned runs on two hits.
“The moments don’t seem too big for him,” Balvanz said of Minner. “He just goes out there and pounds the strike zone.”
Ankeny scored its final run in the sixth inning. Vos doubled and was knocked in by Henry Ha.
The Hawks will host another conference game against No. 7 Southeast Polk (10-3) on Friday.
