After pounding six home runs during a doubleheader sweep over Linn-Mar (Marion) on Saturday, the Ankeny Centennial softball team didn’t rely as much on the long ball during Monday’s twinbill against visiting Cedar Falls.
The fourth-ranked Jaguars hit only two roundtrippers while sweeping the non-conference games by scores of 9-2 and 6-3. They improved to 13-4 on the season, while Cedar Falls’ record dropped to 6-8.
“We just had to find a different way,” said Centennial coach Brett Delaney. “Some nights we can hit the long ball, and other nights we can manufacture some runs. These girls didn’t panic even when they had a lead on us, and we found a way to come back.”
Centennial used a four-run fourth inning to erase a one-run deficit in both games. The Jaguars pounded out 12 hits in the nightcap, but only one of them went for extra bases.
Jordyn Kennedy went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. She is now batting .540 on the season.
Payton Drefke and McKenna Vallejo each went 2-for-3, scored a run and drove in another. Cora Boyle went 2-for-3 and scored twice, Kori Lincicum went 2-for-3 and scored a run, and Ellie Lorenz had an RBI.
Boyle (8-0) was also the winning pitcher. She allowed three earned runs on eight hits and had four strikeouts over the first six innings.
Lauren Sandholm recorded the final three outs for Centennial. She had a pair of strikeouts.
Sandholm (5-2) tossed a five-hitter and had eight strikeouts in the opener, allowing just two unearned runs in the first inning. She went 2-for-3 at the plate and knocked in a run.
Kennedy went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs. It was her fifth homer in the last three games and her team-leading seventh of the season.
Mady Ott added a solo blast in the win. It was her fifth of the year–all in the last seven games.
Boyle went 2-for-4 with a double, a triple and a run scored. Addi Starr also went 2-for-4, while Mary Brantley went 1-for-2, scored two runs and drove in another.
“It was a beautiful night to play softball, and we’re very fortunate that Cedar Falls came down to give us the opportunity to play,” Delaney said. “The girls came out and executed a few small things and found a way to score some runs.”
Centennial will host a CIML Conference doubleheader against No. 15 Waukee (7-8) on Wednesday. The Jaguars practiced on Tuesday after a non-conference game at Carlisle was cancelled.
“Unfortunately, we weren’t able to play on Tuesday due to an unfortunate situation down there at Carlisle, and our prayers are with that program,” Delaney said. “So we were able to get a practice in before Waukee comes to town.”
