Friday’s completion of a postponed CIML Conference softball game at Ankeny Centennial may have been a preview of a Class 5A regional semifinal next month.
The third-ranked Jaguars erupted for eight runs in the fifth inning to walk off with a 14-6 victory over Urbandale. The contest was previously suspended due to rain on June 16.
Coach Brett Delaney’s team is slated to close out the regular season with a doubleheader at Urbandale on July 7. The J-Hawks will then host Des Moines North in a regional quarterfinal three days later, and the winner of that game will play at Centennial in the semifinal round on July 12.
Mady Ott and Lauren Bartine each had two hits and four RBIs in Friday’s win. Ott hit her eighth home run of the season, while Bartine connected for her second blast.
Jordyn Kennedy went 3-for-4, scored two runs and drove in another. She is now batting .512 on the season.
Ava Faber and Camden Starr each had two hits and an RBI for the Jaguars. Delaney Wyble knocked in a pair of runs.
Kori Lincicum combined with Aubrey Scieszinski on an eight-hitter with eight strikeouts. Lincicum raised her record to 7-4.
Ella Schott homered and had two RBIs for the J-Hawks. Sarah Webster also drove in two runs.
The win allowed Centennial to keep pace with No. 1 Waukee Northwest in the conference race. The Jaguars improved to 15-4 in the league and 23-8 overall, while Urbandale’s records dropped to 4-13 and 7-19 with its fifth consecutive loss.
Northwest maintained its game and a half lead over Centennial with a 10-5 win at No. 13 Waukee. The Wolves, who are now 16-2 in the conference, also posted an 8-0 win over No. 11 Ames on Friday to extend their winning streak to 20 games.
The Jaguars will play a make-up CIML game on Saturday at No. 6 Southeast Polk (19-9).
