If Wednesday’s season opener is any indication, the Ankeny softball team is going to have an entertaining season.
The Hawkettes put up crooked numbers in four different innings and never trailed en route to a 17-10 victory at North Polk, the No. 8 team in Class 4A.
“We had great production at the plate and confidence in our approach, solid defense behind the pitchers, and on the mound we were composed and focused,” said Ankeny coach Sarah Saladino. “We had a lot of great energy throughout the game and leadership from multiple athletes. As a staff, we are very proud of the first night’s performance and looking forward to the opportunity to continue grinding throughout the season!”
Ankeny pounded out 12 hits in the non-conference win, eight of them for extra bases. Kensington Arringdale led the way by going 4-for-4 with two home runs and six RBIs.
Tenley Heidemann and Emerson Hutchins also homered for the Hawkettes. Heidemann went 2-for-4 with a double and knocked in five runs.
Brylee Bach tripled and drove in two runs, while Sarah Munger doubled and had two RBIs. Avery Nelson went 2-for-4 with a double and one RBI.
Eighth grader Taylor Hinshaw earned the victory in her varsity debut on the mound. She allowed six runs on 10 hits over the first five innings before being replaced by Munger.
Ankeny will host a non-conference game against ADM on Tuesday. The Tigers are the No. 1 team in Class 4A.