Valley pitcher Maddie Zlomke recorded only three strikeouts during Monday’s softball game against visiting Ankeny.
The Hawkettes had no trouble putting the ball in play. They just didn’t find many holes in Valley’s defense.
Zlomke had a perfect game through four innings and went on to toss a three-hitter as the third-ranked Tigers posted a 4-0 victory in a CIML Conference game.
“We just had a lot of outs in the air,” said Ankeny coach Sarah Saladino. “We didn’t put a ton of pressure on their defense to make those plays. I think we were double-digit outs in the air.”
Avery Nelson, Kaylyn Miller and Haylee Johnson each had a hit for the Hawkettes, who dropped to 4-8 in the conference and 7-9 overall. Valley raised its records to 6-6 and 13-6.
Aubrey Lensmeyer (4-6) took the loss. She allowed just one earned run on six hits and a pair of walks.
The Tigers took advantage of two Ankeny errors to score three runs in the third inning. Zlomke reached on an error to open the inning, then Mackenzie Mohler followed with a single.
After a sacrifice bunt by Kari Rose, Addy Ballard hit a sacrifice fly to drive in the game’s first run. Ilsa Hervey drew a walk to put runners on the corners, then Mohler raced home on an error when Valley attempted a double steal.
Brynn Cibula then capped the outburst with an RBI single to center.
Rose went 2-for-2 for the Tigers, who later added an insurance run in the fifth.
“We’ve just got to turn the page,” Saladino said. “We’ve got to prepare (Tuesday) for a doubleheader at Johnston on Wednesday. We’ve just got to learn from what we’re doing.”
The No. 4 Dragons (7-6, 15-6) are riding a four-game winning streak. They won an earlier meeting at Ankeny, 6-4, on May 28.