‘We got some great pitching’: Miller fans 10, leads Jags past Dallas Center-Grimes

Ankeny Centennial’s Will Nesler races to first base after dropping down a bunt during Monday’s game against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt. Nesler drove in what proved to be the winning run on Thursday as the Jaguars posted a 5-4 victory at Dallas Center-Grimes. (Photo by Dan Holm)

A four-run fifth inning lifted the Ankeny Centennial baseball team to a 5-4 victory at Dallas Center-Grimes in a non-conference game on Thursday.

The Mustangs held a 1-0 lead before Cade Newman hit a two-run single to spark Centennial’s rally. The Jaguars later extended the margin to 5-2 on an RBI single by Will Nesler in the sixth.

Dallas Center-Grimes (0-3) rallied for two runs in the seventh before Will Morris came in to get the final out for a save, leaving the potential tying run stranded at third base.

“We got some great pitching from Brekken Miller. He located very well,” said Centennial coach Mark Hey, whose team improved to 2-0. “Jack Loutsch also threw well in relief.”

**Ankeny Centennial first baseman Alex Cory holds a Des Moines Roosevelt runner close to the bag during Monday’s game. (Photo by Dan Holm)**

Miller allowed just one earned run on four hits over the first five innings. He walked one and had 10 strikeouts.

Miller also doubled for Centennial’s lone extra-base hit. The Jaguars’ other four hits were all singles.

Trae Houser drove in a run with a sacrifice.

Centennial will play a pair of opponents on Saturday at Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids. The Jaguars will meet Bettendorf (2-0) at 12:30 p.m. and Iowa City High (2-2) at 3 p.m.