‘I felt really good tonight’: Sandholm hurls one-hit gem, leads Jaguars past Waukee

Ankeny Centennial’s Lauren Sandholm throws a pitch during Wednesday’s game against visiting Waukee. She tossed a one-hitter and had 10 strikeouts to lead the Jaguars to a 6-0 victory in their CIML Conference opener. (Photo by Evan Reiter)

It took nearly two years, but Ankeny Centennial pitcher Lauren Sandholm finally got some revenge against the Waukee softball team.

Sandholm tossed a one-hitter and had 10 strikeouts to lead the second-ranked Jaguars to a 6-0 victory over visiting Waukee in their CIML Conference opener on Wednesday.

The junior had not faced the Warriors since the end of the 2024 season, when she took the loss in Waukee’s 3-0 victory at Centennial in a Class 5A regional final.

“I felt really good tonight,” said Sandholm, who focused on club ball last year. “We moved the ball around the zone really well and worked in my change to throw their hitters off balance.”

**Ankeny Centennial’s Lauren Sandholm celebrates the final out of an inning during Wednesday’s game. (Photo by Evan Reiter)**

Sandholm needed only 77 pitches to record 21 outs against the Warriors (2-1). She has yet to allow a run in 13 innings this season.

“Lauren came out and had a great night in the circle,” said Centennial coach Brett Delaney. “She started out in the bullpen and then just came in focused and ready to go. She had a determination to be successful tonight. She had some good help from her defense when needed–Kori (Lincicum) made a diving catch in the outfield. I think she turned a double play, too, on a bunt.

“She was just dialed in, and that was a good way to start the week,” he added.

**Ankeny Centennial’s Kori Lincicum waits on a pitch during Wednesday’s game. She ignited the Jaguars’ offense with a grand slam in the first inning. (Photo by Evan Reiter)**

Lincicum also provided a lift with her bat. She hit a grand slam in the first inning to give Sandholm all the support she would need.

“Our offense has been jumping out early,” Sandholm said. “It’s always nice when we’re the first to get some runs on the board. It definitely helps calm the nerves. We’ve done a good job in our first two games continuing to add on more runs and really staying focused throughout the entire game.”

Lincicum went 2-for-3 for Centennial (2-0). Mady Ott also had a home run.

**Ankeny Centennial’s Ava Faber stands on first base after hitting a single during Wednesday’s game. She went 2-for-3 with a double and had one RBI for the Jaguars. (Photo by Evan Reiter)**

Ava Faber went 2-for-3 with a double and drove in a run. Jordyn Kennedy also went 2-for-3 and scored a run.

“Any night you get a CIML victory it’s a big one,” Delaney said. “This is a good way to start off the conference season. Waukee is very well coached, but Lauren had a good outing and had a little offensive help early in the game and that settled everybody down. We took a deep breath, and we had good energy all night long.”

The Jaguars will host a conference doubleheader against No. 11 Johnston (0-1) on Thursday. The Dragons opened league play on Wednesday with a 14-7 loss to Ankeny.