Thursday’s matchup between the top two softball teams in Class 5A lived up to the hype.
Top-ranked and defending state champion Waukee Northwest traveled to Ankeny Centennial for a showdown against the No. 2 Jaguars, who entered the day owning sole possession of first place in the CIML Conference. The two squads were slated to play a doubleheader, but they completed only one game before the nightcap was postponed due to rain.
In a back-and-forth contest, the Wolves never trailed but had to hold off Centennial’s late rally for a 6-5 victory. The Jaguars pounded out eight hits against Northwest ace Sophia Schlader, who handed them three of their 10 losses a year ago, including an 11-3 decision in the Class 5A semifinals.
“Obviously, we wanted to win, but that was a good enough score,” said Centennial outfielder Mady Ott. “We showed that we can hang, and we can stick with them.”
Northwest’s Kenley Sanger hit a two-run homer off Mylie Hatfield (1-1) in the top of the seventh inning that proved to be the difference. It gave the Wolves a 6-3 advantage.
Centennial tried to rally in the bottom of the frame. Gracie Anderson led off with a single and Ava Faber hit a one-out double to left to put runners at second and third.
Jordyn Kennedy followed with a two-run double to right-center, closing the gap to 6-5. Schlader then intentionally walked Ott to put the potential winning run on base.
Hatfield hit a line drive for the second out to Northwest shortstop Maggie Allen, who then threw to second and nearly doubled off Kennedy to end the game. Lauren Bartine then grounded back to Schlader for the final out.
“Sophie did great, and I think our lineup did great, too,” Ott said. “I’m excited to face them again.”
Schlader blasted a two-run homer in the second to give the Wolves a 3-0 lead. Centennial got a run back in the bottom of the inning as Ott drew a leadoff walk and eventually scored on a two-out single to center by Delaney Wyble.
In the third, Kori Lincicum hit a one-out double to left. With two outs, Kennedy was intentionally walked before Ott ripped a two-run double to right to tie the game.
Ott appeared to be miffed that the Wolves elected to walk Kennedy to pitch to her.
“I think that’s why I’m there is to give Jordyn the support she needs,” Ott said. “It felt great (to make them pay for that strategy).”
Northwest regained the lead for good in the top of the fourth. Shay Davis was hit by a pitch with two outs, advanced to second on a wild pitch and then raced home when a high bouncer off the bat of Schlader resulted in an infield single.
Bartine hit a leadoff single in the bottom of the inning and then reached second when she got caught in a rundown but was able to avoid Schlader’s tag. After she advanced to third on a bunt by Wyble, Lauren Sandholm was hit by a pitch and then stole second as Cami Starr fanned.
With two outs, Lincicum hit a hard liner that was snagged on a leaping catch by Northwest third baseman Hazel Leinen. Schlader went on to retire eight of the next nine batters while holding the Jaguars without a run for three straight innings.
“Obviously, her speed (is the biggest issue),” Ott said. “We know she has a great rise ball so we’re just trying to lay off that and find our pitch.”
The Wolves improved to 5-1 in the conference and 7-1 overall. Centennial’s records dropped to 6-1 and 7-1.
The Jaguars will host a pair of non-conference games on Friday. They will face Ames (6-1) at 11 a.m. and No. 8 Cedar Rapids Kennedy (4-2) at 3 p.m.
