Waukee softball team rallies twice to sweep doubleheader against Hawkettes

Ankeny’s Emerson Hutchins hits the ball during Thursday’s doubleheader at Waukee. The Hawkettes dropped an 8-3 decision in the opener, then lost the nightcap, 9-8, in nine innings. (Photo by Evan Reiter)

Despite dropping both games of a doubleheader on Thursday at Waukee, Ankeny softball coach Sarah Saladino saw a lot of positives in her team’s play.

“The girls showed a ton of grit all night long,” she said. “We embraced the pressure tonight.”

The Hawkettes scored five runs in the sixth inning to take an 8-6 lead in the nightcap. They were only six outs away from salvaging a split, but Waukee got a run in the bottom of the frame and another in the seventh to force extra innings.

**Ankeny’s Morgan Fisher bunts the ball during Thursday’s doubleheader. She went 4-for-9 on the night. (Photo by Evan Reiter)**

The Warriors eventually pushed across the winning run with one out in the ninth to post a 9-8 victory. They posted an 8-3 win in the opener.

Eighth grader Emma Munger (0-2) took the loss in both games. She relieved starter Taylor Hinshaw in the second game and allowed five earned runs on nine hits over the last 7 1/3 innings.

“Emma is a young pitcher, and this was her first opportunity on the mound tonight,” Saladino said. “She was confident, competitive and focused. I’m so very proud of her poise and calmness throughout the night.”

**Ankeny’s Emma Munger throws a pitch during Thursday’s doubleheader. The eighth grader made her varsity debut on the mound for the Hawkettes. (Photo by Evan Reiter)**

Reagan Hogan went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs in the loss. Kensington Arringdale drove in a pair of runs.

Ava Schlee went 2-for-4 with a double and scored two runs. Morgan Fisher went 2-for-5.

In the opener, Ankeny held a 3-1 lead before Waukee rallied. The Warriors scored three runs in the fifth and four more in the sixth.

Ankeny’s Kensington Arringdale drops her bat after drawing a walk during Thursday’s doubleheader. Arringdale, who was walked three times on the night, hit a solo home run in the opener. She is now tied for the state lead with four homers. (Photo by Evan Reiter)

Arringdale hit a solo home run for the Hawkettes, her fourth of the season. She is now tied with eighth grader Sophia Dannenbring of Sioux City Heelan for the state lead in homers.

Sarah Munger went 2-for-3 with a double and had one RBI. Avery Nelson and Fisher each went 2-for-4, while Emerson Hutchins and Brylee Bach each doubled and scored a run.

Ankeny committed just one error on the night.

**Ankeny’s Ava Schlee catches a throw at third base during Thursday’s doubleheader. (Photo by Evan Reiter)**

“We had a strong and composed defense behind the pitchers,” Saladino said. “Multiple athletes offensively and defensively responded to support the pitchers.”

Waukee improved to 2-1 in the CIML Conference and 4-1 overall. The Hawkettes’ records are now 1-2 and 2-3.

Ankeny will travel to Ankeny Centennial on Monday for a conference game against the No. 2 Jaguars, who lead the league at 3-0 and are 4-0 overall.