(Story by Stephen McDaniel)
The Ankeny Centennial softball team has taken the first step toward defending its Class 5A state championship.
The sixth-ranked Jaguars were dominant in every aspect of the game as they romped to a 10-0 victory over visiting Marshalltown in five innings in a regional semifinal on Saturday.
“Marshalltown is a real quality opponent and just finding a way to come out and do the little things,” said Centennial coach Brett Delaney, whose team is now 29-9 on the season. “It was nice to see everything we’ve been working on, they’ve been putting into play. They didn’t try to do too much tonight. We’ve got a few things to clean up for Tuesday night, but it’s a good start to the process.”
Marshalltown (16-24) was coming off a 10-run victory of its own after having routed Iowa City West, 13-3, on Thursday to reach the semifinal matchup.
But behind freshman pitcher Lauren Sandholm and a trio of extra-base hits from Jordyn Kennedy, Mady Ott and Jessica Lathrop, the Jaguars set the tone early.
Sandholm (14-6) didn’t allow the defense backing her to see much action in the five innings of play. Out of the 15 outs recorded, Sandholm tallied 13 strikeouts and opened the game by striking out three of Marshalltown’s first four batters.
“We have Lauren and Cora (Boyle) and either one we could’ve put out there and tonight was Lauren’s night,” Delaney said. “She likes these pressure situations, and we’re very fortunate to have her on our side.”
Kate Sandvick was the only Bobcat to find any success against Sandholm. She drew Marshalltown’s only walk in the first inning before recording the team’s only hit with a double in the fourth.
On the other end, the Jaguars saw plenty of success in the batter’s box. Centennial recorded 12 hits as a team with eight different batters notching at least one hit.
Kennedy got the bats going with a two-out double in the bottom of the first. Ott followed her up with an RBI triple and Lathrop brought her in with a double for a 2-0 lead.
Addi Starr and Boyle hit back-to-back singles in the second inning, which lined Kennedy up to hammer her 12th home run of the season on a shot to center field to put the Jaguars ahead 5-0.
McKenna Vallejo added another pair of runs in the third. She recorded an RBI single before scoring off a passed ball later in the inning. Mary Brantley scored off a Bobcat error sandwiched between Vallejo’s runs.
With a sizable lead, Centennial was able to distribute some plate appearances in the dugout with seniors Ellie Lorenz and Lily Bauch and sophomore Avery McGaffin getting opportunities. Lorenz drove in the Jaguars’ ninth run of the game with a single in the fourth.
“Competition is something that drives this program,” Delaney said. “Eighth through 12th grade, we have competition up and down every day in practice. These girls are pushing each other and trying to find a way in the lineup. When they get opportunities, they’re taking advantage of them. It was a fun way to get all my seniors into the game and give a couple others opportunities.”
Kennedy started things and ended them as well by putting a grounder in play to drive in Starr for the 10-run victory in the fifth. She now has 39 RBIs on the season, tying Ott for the team lead.
Centennial has one more obstacle to hurdle with a trip back to the state tournament on the line. No. 13 Waukee (19-17) bested Dowling Catholic, 7-1, in the other semifinal matchup to set up Tuesday’s regional final at Centennial at 7 p.m.
The two teams met in a doubleheader at Centennial back on June 12, which saw the Jaguars sweep the twinbill by scores of 10-0 and 8-4.
The Jaguars know what’s ahead of them and are prepared to fight for another trip to Fort Dodge.
“It’s just one step at a time,” Delaney said. “We’ve got to come out ready to go, get that first out of the game and we’re fortunate to play at home. They know the road ahead of them, so it’s one play at a time.”
