(Story by Dom Tornabane)
After a very slow start to the season, the Ankeny baseball team is on a roll.
The Hawks swept a non-conference doubleheader on Friday at Ames by scores of 10-7 and 14-9. They have now won five of their last six games to raise their overall record to 6-13.
Ankeny used a five-run third inning to erase a 2-1 deficit in the first game. The outburst included an RBI single by Jack Romig and a two-run double from Ryan Wille.
“I’m getting a lot more comfortable working deep in the counts, and just trying to do a job for my team instead of trying to get a hit for myself,” said Romig, who went 3-for-4 and had two RBIs.
Ames (6-12) rallied to take a 7-6 lead after five innings, but the Hawks then responded with a three-run sixth, highlighted by Quin’ Somers two-run double. They added another run in the seventh and then held on for the win.
Ace Parton went 2-for-5 and scored a run, while Kyle Clevidence (1-1) earned the victory with three scoreless innings of relief. He allowed just one hit and had one strikeout.
“When you can not play your best and still win, I think that’s a sign of progress,” said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz.
In the second game, Ankeny continued its torrid hitting amidst a season in which it has struggled to score at times. The Hawks jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, added two more runs in the second and never looked back.
Norman Ha had a big game at the plate, going 2-for-4 with four RBIs. Wille doubled and drove in three runs, while Parton went 2-for-4, scored five runs and knocked in another.
Ankeny used six pitchers in the nightcap. Brayden Kern (1-0) earned the win, recording one of his four strikeouts to get out of a bases-loaded jam.
The Hawks will look to continue their hot streak on Monday when they host a CIML Conference game against Valley. The Tigers are 6-4 in the league and 10-7 overall.