Junior Aubrey Lensmeyer helped the Ankeny softball team to a 22-22 record and a fourth-place finish in the Class 5A state tournament, the Hawkettes’ highest finish since the split into two high schools a decade ago. She was named to the CIML Conference third team as a pitcher.
Lensmeyer compiled a 7-10 mark with a 3.54 ERA. She allowed just 40 walks while racking up 115 strikeouts in 108 2/3 innings of work.
Lensmeyer, who also played first base and in the outfield, batted .264 on the season. She led the team with nine home runs and 28 RBIs.
Here is some inside info on Lensmeyer:
I know it was your birthday on Friday. Did you do anything special to celebrate?
I did, yes! I was able to go to lunch with my teammates and coaches, get my nails done, have dinner with my family, and then have some friends over at night!
Congratulations on an outstanding season. I know your team had some ups and downs, but how satisfied are you with the way that the season ended?
I don’t think anyone’s ever satisfied with the season unless you win the state tournament haha. But I’m definitely proud of the team for overcoming the tough times and being able to get farther than what most people thought.
Your team played its last four games against opponents from the CIML Conference. Did that make it easier to prepare for each of those games?
I think it was a little bit easier to prepare because we had already seen their pitchers, and we knew more about how to pitch to them. They were also thinking the same thing and planning on where to pitch to us and studying our pitchers.
Your teammate, Abby Rusher, was named to the Class 5A all-tournament team after tossing a two-hit shutout against Waukee Northwest in the quarterfinals and going 4-for-10 at the plate in the tournament. Have you learned a lot from playing with her for the last couple of seasons?
I definitely have learned a lot from her! She’s such an amazing pitcher, and it’s so fun to be able to work with her. I love her demeanor on the mound and how nothing really phases her, and she’s always pretty positive. I think we helped to push each other to become better. Abby also started going with me to BCubed Fitness so we really developed a stronger friendship too working out together twice a week.
You came on in relief during Thursday’s third-place game against Urbandale and allowed no hits while recording three strikeouts over the last 2 1/3 innings. Did it help calm your nerves that you had pitched against Waukee Northwest in a consolation game last year?
I think that helped. The more high-pressure experience you have definitely helps calm nerves. The state tournament is a big place to be, but I know the team has confidence in me as I do in them. I also think coming in throughout the season helped. We were in a lot of close games. Over the past few years I have been in big pressure games for my club team as well. It’s all brought me to where we are today, so I was ready!
I think your team hung around to watch Pleasant Valley’s 14-11 win over Valley in the championship game after you were done playing. Were you rooting for Valley to win, and how surprised were you that the Tigers lost after jumping out to a 5-1 lead after three innings?
I was leaning more toward Valley to win since that’s who knocked us out of the tournament, but I have a really good friend on Pleasant Valley in Kasey Kane. I knew Pleasant Valley had a great team so I figured it would be a good game. I thought whoever would be able to outhit the other team would win.
Former Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial star Kendyl Lindaman was inducted into the IGHSAU Softball Hall of Fame on Thursday. Do you know much about her career?
I know quite a bit about her career. She was such a stud at Ankeny and Centennial, hitting bombs and catching. Then she went on to play at Minnesota and Florida. My pitching coach actually worked with Kendyl. When I was little she would come to the camps I attended. I remember being so excited and in awe of her because she was such a good player and so cool. I think I still have a ball signed by her! It’s also super cool that she was inducted into the Hall the same year we went to state!
I know your team stayed in Fort Dodge all week rather than drive back and forth multiple times. Did you and the other girls have a lot of fun staying in the dorms?
Yes! I think staying in the dorms is a super fun experience, and it gives a glimpse into what college is like. We were able to bond and have a ton of fun with our team, but Cedar Rapids Prairie was also staying in the same dorms. One night they did a talent show and invited us to watch and cheer them on so that was hilarious and a special memory as well!
Coach Bingham shared a couple of stories with me that I wanted to ask you about. He told me that the players would say, “Do it for Drue (Wolfe)”, every time that you took the field–and I really appreciate that. Can you describe how our late photographer impacted the lives of you and your teammates?
Drue was such an amazing photographer and person. We would always be so excited when he would come to games. It was fun waiting for his post to come out and see what pics he got. We loved when there were funny pics or when he would send some extra ones that he especially liked and thought were funny.
Coach also told me that on Tuesday night the players were making suggestions to him on who would ride in the front of the van with him behind the firetruck when the team came home with the championship, and he said that he thought that you threw out my name as one of the possibilities. I just wanted to thank you for that. If you guys win the title next year, I’d be happy to do it. How does that sound?
It sounds amazing! We threw out a ton of different names that we thought would be fun to have in the van so I guess next year we will have to have a full van, but you can get shotgun right next to Bing for sure!
Your team will have to replace eight seniors, including Abby. Are you ready to shoulder a heavier pitching load next year?
Yes, absolutely! I love pitching and competing with my teammates. Assuming that’s more of my role next year, I am looking forward to it and always working to get better. I will be ready!
You have committed to play for South Dakota beginning in the fall of 2025, and I know the Coyotes recruited you as a two-way player. Do you think you’ll have a chance to contribute sooner as a pitcher or a hitter?
I think it could go either way, but initially they can see me making an impact as a hitter. I’m excited to have the opportunity to play and compete at a super high level. I would love to do both, but I’ll do what the team needs and be ready to compete–whether that’s in the circle or at the plate! I want to help contribute any way I can.
