‘We’ve just got to tighten up our defense’: Errors prove costly as Hawkettes fall twice

Ankeny second baseman Autumn Leinen makes a putout at first base to retire Waukee Northwest batter Meredith Thomsen during the first game of Monday’s doubleheader at Ankeny. The Wolves swept the twinbill by scores of 5-1 and 7-2. (Photo by Evan Reiter)

Ankeny softball pitchers Aubrey Lensmeyer and Kaylyn Miller both had decent outings on the mound Monday against one of the state’s best teams.

Unfortunately, a lack of timely hits and some costly errors resulted in a pair of losses for the 13th-ranked Hawkettes.

No. 2 Waukee Northwest swept both games of a CIML Conference doubleheader on the road, 5-1 and 7-2.

“We’ve just got to tighten up our defense,” said Ankeny coach Sarah Saladino. “We had a good amount of errors in both games. We also have to make some better adjustments at the plate.”

Ankeny’s Aubrey Lensmeyer throws a pitch during the first game of Monday’s doubleheader. She allowed five earned runs on eight hits and had five strikeouts for the Hawkettes. (Photo by Evan Reiter)

Lensmeyer was outdueled in the first game by Northwest standout Sophia Schlader. Schlader allowed just three hits and had 11 strikeouts.

“She works hard,” Saladino said of Schlader. “We prepped for her, but she does a great job on the mound. I’m sure she will be the hardest throwing pitcher we’ll see in the CIML and probably in the state.”

Ankeny trailed by just 1-0 before the Wolves scored four runs in the sixth inning. Leela Appeldorn hit a two-run single, Hazel Leinen ripped an RBI double off the center-field fence, and Alayna Schulte added a sacrifice fly.

The Hawkettes scored their lone run in the bottom of the seventh. Tenley Heidemann was hit by a pitch, went to second on a single by Miller, advanced to third on a walk to Autumn Leinen, and then came home on a sacrifice fly by Sarah Munger.

Schlader cruised through the first three innings before Avery Nelson had a leadoff single in the fourth for Ankeny’s first hit of the game. Morgan Fisher followed with a bunt single to put runners at first and second.

Ankeny’s Tenley Heidemann attempts a bunt during the first game of Monday’s doubleheader. She was retired when Northwest third baseman Hazel Leinen made a diving catch in foul territory, but she was later hit by a pitch and eventually scored the Hawkettes’ lone run. (Photo by Evan Reiter)

Heidemann tried another bunt with one out, but Hazel Leinen–the Northwest third baseman–made a diving catch in foul territory. Schlader then fielded a chopper in front of the plate by Miller and threw her out on a close play to get out of the jam.

The Hawkettes also shined in the field at times. Autumn Leinen, the second baseman, and Emmy Hutchins, the first baseman, both turned Northwest line drives into inning-ending double plays.

Lensmeyer (1-5) allowed five earned runs on eight hits. She walked one and had five strikeouts.

In the nightcap, the Wolves capitalized on six Ankeny errors to complete the sweep. Miller (2-2) allowed just two earned runs on nine hits and had a pair of strikeouts.

**Ankeny’s Kaylyn Miller throws a pitch during the second game of Monday’s doubleheader. She allowed just two earned runs on nine hits and had two strikeouts. (Photo by Evan Reiter)**

“I thought Kaylyn threw well,” Saladino said. “We just need to give our pitchers a little more offensively and tighten up the defense.”

Northwest scored three runs in the fifth to build a 6-0 lead before the Hawkettes plated both of their runs in the bottom of the inning on a triple by Fisher.

Fisher and Miller both went 2-for-3 in the loss. Munger doubled and scored a run.

The Wolves raised their records to 7-2 in the conference and 11-3 overall. Ankeny dropped to 3-7 and 3-7.

The Hawkettes will host a conference game against Dowling on Wednesday. The Maroons (2-6, 2-6) were swept at No. 3 Ankeny Centennial on Monday.