Waukee rolls past Hawkettes in 4 innings, avenges earlier doubleheader loss

Ankeny shortstop Tenley Heidemann tries to put a tag on Waukee runner Abi Felt during the first inning of Thursday’s game at Waukee. Felt stole second base on the play and eventually scored the game’s first run on a double by Shae Swank, igniting the Warriors to a 10-0 victory in four innings. (Photo by Dan Holm)

A return to CIML Conference play has been a struggle this week for the Ankeny softball team.

After winning three of four games in the John Stephens Classic last weekend at Creston, the Hawkettes dropped a 4-0 decision at then-No. 3 Valley on Monday.

Then, after Wednesday’s doubleheader at Johnston was rained out, Ankeny traveled to Waukee on Thursday to face the 13th-ranked Warriors–a team that the Hawkettes swept on May 29.

But Waukee snapped a three-game losing skid in impressive fashion. The Warriors pounded out 11 hits and rolled to a 10-0 victory in four innings.

**Ankeny’s Madison Meyers catches a pitch from Aubrey Lensmeyer during Thursday’s game. (Photo by Dan Holm)**

Shae Swank hit a bases-loaded double with two outs in the first inning to give Waukee a 2-0 lead. She then capped a five-run outburst in the second with a two-run single.

Ella Daniel also had a two-run single in the second. Jaden Van Pelt added an RBI single.

Aubrey Lensmeyer (4-7) took the loss. She allowed seven earned runs on eight hits over the first two innings.

**Ankeny’s Aubrey Lensmeyer throws a pitch during Thursday’s game. (Photo by Dan Holm)**

Mckenna Byers went 2-for-2 for the Hawkettes. Sarah Munger also had a hit.

Ankeny threatened in the second inning, when Munger hit a two-out single and Byers followed with another single. But Waukee pitcher Lillie Struck then got a strikeout to end the inning.

Waukee improved to 5-7 in the conference and 8-8 overall. The Hawkettes’ records dropped to 4-9 and 7-10.

Ankeny will compete in the Fort Dodge Invitational on Friday and Saturday.