No. 2 Waukee NW blanks Centennial, then No. 3 Jaguars return favor in nightcap

Ankeny Centennial coach Brett Delaney talks to his players during the first game of Thursday’s doubleheader at Waukee Northwest. The Jaguars dropped a 4-0 decision in the opener, but then earned a split with a 9-0 victory in six innings in the nightcap. (Photo by Dan Holm)

The Ankeny Centennial softball team rebounded in a big way from its first shutout loss of the season.

After dropping a 4-0 decision at second-ranked Waukee Northwest in the first game of a doubleheader on Thursday, the No. 3 Jaguars bounced back with a 9-0 victory in six innings in the nightcap to earn a split.

“It was a good night against one of the best (teams) in the state,” said Centennial coach Brett Delaney. “We had the opportunity to learn a few things. I was proud of how the girls competed all night long.”

Centennial’s Kori Lincicum tossed a three-hitter in the second game to even her record at 2-2. She walked one and had six strikeouts.

**Ankeny Centennial’s Kori Lincicum waits on a pitch from Waukee Northwest’s Sophia Schlader during the first game of Thursday’s twinbill. (Photo by Dan Holm)**

Lincicum also doubled and drove in a run. The Jaguars took a 5-0 lead in the first two innings, then used a four-run sixth to put it away.

Ava Faber went 3-for-4 with a double and four RBIs. Mady Ott knocked in a pair of runs, and Jordyn Kennedy drove in another.

Gracie Anderson went 2-for-3 in the win. Anderson, Faber and Mary Brantley each scored twice.

**Ankeny Centennial pitcher Aubrey Scieszinski goes into her windup during the first game of Thursday’s doubleheader. (Photo by Dan Holm)**

Northwest won the opener behind Sophia Schlader, who tossed a two-hitter and had nine strikeouts. Lauren Bartine had a double for the Jaguars.

The Wolves took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, then added three runs in the second against Aubrey Scieszinski (3-1). Scieszinksi allowed two earned runs on six hits and had three strikeouts.

With runners on the corners and one out in the second inning, Northwest’s Alayna Schulte dropped down a bunt that scored a run. Hazel Leinen raced to third on the play, beating a tag by Kennedy in a race to the bag, and Schulte then beat Kennedy’s ensuing throw to second.

**Waukee Northwest runner Hazel Leinen slides safely into third base before Ankeny Centennial’s Jordyn Kennedy can make a tag during the first game of Thursday’s doubleheader. (Photo by Dan Holm)**

With two outs, the Jaguars elected to intentionally walk Schlader to load the bases. The strategy backfired, though, when Aunya Van Zetten hit a hard grounder to the right side that skipped past second baseman Faber for an error that allowed two more runs to score.

Schlader took a no-hitter into the fourth inning before Faber reached on an infield single and went to second on an error. However, Schlader then struck out the heart of the Jaguars’ lineup–Kennedy, Ott and Lincicum–in succession.

Centennial is now 5-3 in the CIML Conference and 7-3 overall. The Wolves’ records are 5-2 and 7-2.

**Ankeny Centennial left fielder Mary Brantley tries to make a diving catch during the first game of Thursday’s twinbill. (Photo by Dan Holm)**

The Jaguars will host a pair of teams in the Centennial Invitational on Friday. They will play Creston (9-2) at 10 a.m. and No. 14 Ames (9-0) at 2 p.m.

Creston is the No. 15 team in Class 4A. The Panthers will face Ames at noon.