The North Polk baseball team used a six-run outburst in the fourth inning to break a 1-1 tie and went on to defeat visiting Ankeny, 7-1, in a non-conference game on Tuesday.
The Hawks dropped to 14-22 overall with their third straight loss. North Polk raised its record to 19-11.
Kinnick Vos doubled and walked twice for Ankeny, which had just four hits off a trio of pitchers. Ace Parton went 1-for-2 and scored the Hawks’ only run in the second inning.
Kyle Clevidence (0-3) took the loss. He allowed seven earned runs on nine hits and had three strikeouts over 3 1/3 innings.
Easton Ingle went 3-for-3 and had two RBIs for the Comets. Drew Owen went 2-fo-3, scored two runs and drove in another, while Brady Reinhart doubled and knocked in two runs.
Clark Smithey earned the win, allowing just one hit over the last four innings.
Ankeny will close out the regular season on Wednesday with a make-up doubleheader at third-ranked Johnston. The Dragons (22-11) stayed alive in the race for the CIML Conference title by sweeping a doubleheader on Tuesday against visiting Dowling Catholic.
Johnston (15-7) is now tied for first place with No. 8 Valley (16-8). The Dragons can win the outright league crown by sweeping Ankeny.
Play will resume, however, with the Hawks holding a 3-0 lead in the first game.