Sophomore outfielder Avery Nelson has helped the ninth-ranked Ankeny softball team to a 21-20 record and a second consecutive trip to the Class 5A state tournament. She is batting .362 on the season with 13 RBIs.
Nelson leads the Hawkettes with 138 at-bats, 50 hits, 41 singles, eight doubles and 21 stolen bases. She ranks second on the squad with 26 runs scored and six sacrifice bunts.
Here is some inside info on Nelson:
Congratulations on making it to state again. After sweating out a 4-3 win over Waukee in last year’s regional final, was it a little more relaxing to have a bigger lead at the end of Tuesday’s 6-2 victory over No. 10 Southeast Polk?
Yes, for sure it was more relaxing to have a bigger lead. It made me more comfortable when we scored those two runs in the bottom of the sixth since their heart of the order was coming up in the top of the seventh.
Your team had split a doubleheader at Southeast Polk on June 20. How much confidence did you have going into the game?
I had a ton of confidence in my team. Abby (Rusher) threw really well the last time we played them. We had been working really hard at practice to prepare for the game and watching film on Southeast Polk to find their tendencies and to get a better idea on how they’re going to play/pitch against us.
Your team will now play No. 4 Waukee Northwest, another CIML Conference rival, in the Class 5A quarterfinals on Monday at 10:30 a.m. at Fort Dodge. Was it easier to prepare for another opponent that you’re familiar with?
They’re a good team, but it’s definitely easier to meet someone again that we have already played earlier in the season.
This game will be a rematch from last year’s tournament, when the Wolves posted a 6-4 win in a consolation game. Do you remember much about that contest?
I don’t really remember much of that game, but I know we put up a good fight after a tough loss to Muscatine the day before. I know they scored three runs in the top of the first, but my team came back and scored three (in the bottom of the inning) to tie it up.
Even though your team dropped both of its games at last year’s tournament, do you think the experience will help those of you who played in them?
Yes, I think it will help that we had girls that experienced the energy of the state tournament, and it will help us to better control our emotions and to stay in the moment.
Your team split a doubleheader against the Wolves on June 3, posting a 2-1 victory in 10 innings in the opener before dropping a 10-6 decision in the nightcap. Do you feel like the two teams are pretty evenly matched?
When we play our best, we can compete with anybody.
You hit a walk-off single in the 10th inning to win the first game after also driving in the go-ahead run in the 10th inning of a 5-4 victory at Waukee Northwest a year ago. How do you explain your heroics against the Wolves?
It is really cool that I had the opportunity to get a couple game-winning hits when my team needed them. I just try to do my best and was lucky enough with those two opportunities.
Your game-winning hit last month came against eighth grader Sophia Schlader, who boasts a 19-5 record with a 0.81 ERA. You had two of your team’s four hits in the win, but you also had two of the 11 strikeouts against Schlader. Is she one of the better pitchers you’ve seen this season?
Yes, she was very good and has had a lot of success against a lot of good teams.
Schlader is currently tied for the state lead in home runs with 18, and she had three of them in the doubleheader at Ankeny. I know you’re not a pitcher, but do you have any advice for your teammates who will be pitching to her?
I would just say to not give her anything too on the plate or too far in.
With a win, your team could play No. 1 Valley in the semifinals on Wednesday. The Tigers are currently riding a 23-game winning streak, which includes 16-4 and 7-3 victories at Ankeny on July 1. What would be the keys for your team to knock off Valley if you get a chance to play them?
We just have to play our game. We will have to get our bats going because Valley will score runs, we have to make the routine plays, and we need to be aggressive.
I know you’ve only been thrown out once in 22 stolen base attempts this season. Do you remember who threw you out?
I do remember. It was the first inning of the first game of the doubleheader at Ankeny Centennial (on June 26). (Jaguars catcher) Makenna Foster threw me out. I didn’t get a good jump, and she made a good throw.
