Senior catcher Ava Tomlinson has helped the eighth-ranked Ankeny softball team to a 17-12 record, including a 7-5 mark in the CIML Conference. She is batting .266 with two home runs, five doubles and 16 RBIs.
Tomlinson hit a three-run homer on Saturday as the Hawkettes posted a 4-0 victory over North Polk, the No. 1 team in Class 4A. The loss snapped the Comets’ 21-game winning streak.
That game was played at Oskaloosa, where Ankeny also rolled to a 10-5 win over the host Indians. Tomlinson went 2-for-3 in that victory.
Here is some inside info on Tomlinson:
How is the season going thus far?
Our season has been a little up and down, but we are working hard and having a lot of fun. We have a big couple weeks ahead and are going to continue to put in the work and support each other through that. This season is a grind so putting each other first and having love and gratitude is the key to success.
What has been the highlight for you?
A huge highlight was hitting a home run against Ankeny Centennial in the Johnston tournament (on May 24). Since doing this I have kind of gained a leadership mindset and have been trying to do whatever it takes to lead us to victory. Having those moments when we are down in a game really changes the mood and puts us at a higher fight level to get after teams.
Your team followed a six-game winning streak earlier this month with a four-game skid that began with a loss to Class 4A No. 3 Fort Dodge in the semifinals of the Fort Dodge Invitational on June 15, but you gained some revenge against the Dodgers with a 4-3 victory on Wednesday. How important was that win for your team?
I think that win is going to be a turning point in our season. After losing to them in extra innings just a few days before, I think that was a huge change of momentum for us and gave us a little bit higher of a fight level. We know we can come in to competitive games and expect to succeed.
Your team then split a conference doubleheader on Thursday at Southeast Polk, which is one of the schools in the CIML that has a turf field. Do you have to make any adjustments when you’re catching on a turf field?
The turf makes it a lot more difficult trying to block and knock balls down coming from the field. I try to be super aggressive on turf fields and adapt to the way that the ball will bounce because it is so much different than dirt.
Your team will play a doubleheader at No. 1 Centennial on Wednesday, and the Jaguars were one of the state’s hottest teams until their 12-game winning streak ended on Friday with a loss at Des Moines Lincoln in the first game of a doubleheader. What will be the keys for your team to beat Centennial?
We talk a lot about having love and gratitude on and off the field. I think so long as we stick to that we are going to be successful. We are going to continue to work hard and hustle in preparation, and I think we are ready to face them.
As you mentioned earlier, you hit a two-run homer in your team’s 4-2 loss to the Jaguars last month at the Johnston Invitational. Your homer came against Cora Boyle, who is undefeated this season at 13-0. What was the secret to your success against her?
Cora is a great pitcher, but I think my mindset was just to go in and hit the ball out of the ballpark. We were struggling a little bit hitting in that game so I think having that mindset helped give us a little momentum toward the end of the game.
Unfortunately, your teammate, Cassie Johnson, suffered a foot injury during that game and missed about a month of action. She returned to the lineup against Fort Dodge and hit a two-run homer in her first at-bat. How big is that to have her back in the lineup?
Cassie is a great player and it has been exciting to have her back with us as I know she was happy to be back as well.
You are one of the players who has picked up some of the slack during Cassie’s absence, including most of the catching duties. Have you tried to step up and be a leader for the team?
Filling those shoes has definitely been a huge task, but making sure I am communicating with my teammates and leading them as best as I possibly can has helped us. Having a couple of leaders on the team to take charge of the field and dugout is key, and we needed that kind of leadership.
What are your plans for the fall?
I will be attending the University of Iowa with a major in journalism and mass communications.
Will you miss playing competitive sports?
Competitive sports have been such a huge part of my life for so long so it will definitely be a huge adjustment to not have that anymore. I will miss the game a lot along with all of my teammates and friends that I have made through it.
I saw that you’re an Irish twin–and I’ll admit that I had to Google that term. Can you explain what that means for people who don’t know?
An Irish twin is siblings who are born in the same year. Me and my brother Ryan were both born in 2006, but my birthday is in January and his is in December. That makes us Irish twins.
