The seventh-ranked Southeast Polk baseball team used a five-run fourth inning to erase a 3-1 deficit and went on to beat host Ankeny, 6-4, in a CIML Conference game on Friday.
The Hawks lost despite another big night from junior outfielder Evan Irlmeier, who went 3-for-3 for the second straight game and drove in a pair of runs. After a slow start to the season, Irlmeier has raised his average from .111 to .238 over the last two contests.
“He’s been really productive,” said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz.
Kinnick Vos went 2-for-4 and also had two RBIs for Ankeny, which dropped to 1-4 in the conference and 5-8 overall. The Rams raised their records to 2-3 and 11-3.
Nick Meyer (1-1) took the loss. He allowed six earned runs on nine hits over the first four innings.
Jack Goodwin had five strikeouts and combined with Samuel Sandvig for three scoreless innings of relief, but the Hawks were unable to rally.
Southeast Polk’s Chase Burke earned the win, allowing four earned runs on six hits over the first five innings. Noah Trexel and Brett Nicodemus then combined to get the final six outs.
Nicodemus and Connor Duong each went 3-for-4 with a double for the Rams. Duong drove in two runs, while Trexel also had a double and two RBIs.
Ankeny will host a conference doubleheader against Waukee Northwest (9-6) on Monday.
