Jordyn Kennedy and Mady Ott hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning and the sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team went on to post a 6-2 victory at Fort Dodge in a non-conference game on Wednesday.
The Jaguars snapped a three-game losing skid while improving their record to 25-8. Fort Dodge, the No. 4 team in Class 4A, dropped to 28-10.
Centennial defeated the Dodgers for the second time this season. The Jaguars also posted an 8-2 win in the championship of the Fort Dodge Invitational on June 15.
Kennedy hit a two-run blast off Fort Dodge pitcher Lucy Porter, who then gave up a solo shot to Ott. It was the 11th homer of the season for both Kennedy and Ott, who are now tied with Katie Quick of Ankeny Christian Academy and three other players for ninth on the state’s home run list.
Ott matched Kennedy with two RBIs in the win. Addi Starr and Mary Brantley each knocked in a run.
Cora Boyle went 3-for-3, Payton Drefke went 3-for-4 with a double, and McKenna Vallejo went 2-for-2. They each scored a run.
Lauren Sandholm (12-5) tossed five scoreless innings to earn the victory. She allowed three hits, walked one and had three strikeouts.
The Jaguars will play another non-conference game on Friday at ADM (25-8), the No. 5 team in Class 4A.
