‘The girls played very hard’: Hawkettes battle but fall twice to surging Johnston

**Ankeny catcher Kinsley Ihle tags out a Johnston runner during the first game of Wednesday’s doubleheader at Ankeny. The Dragons won both games of the twinbill, 6-3 and 9-7. (Photo by Scott Byers)**

The Ankeny softball team was hoping to carry the momentum from Tuesday’s sweep over Southeast Polk into Wednesday’s doubleheader against visiting Johnston.

However, the Dragons came into the matchup riding a three-game winning streak of their own and looking to avenge an earlier 14-7 loss.

Johnston combined 14 hits with 15 walks to earn a sweep on the road. The Dragons used a three-run fourth inning to post a 6-3 victory in the opener, then followed with a 9-7 win in the nightcap.

Ankeny’s Morgan Fisher slides safely across home plate to score a run during the opener of Wednesday’s doubleheader. Fisher went 2-for-3 and also drove in a run in the Hawkettes’ loss. (Photo by Scott Byers)

“The girls played very hard tonight, and I’m so proud of all the discipline they showed at the plate, defensively and on the mound,” said Ankeny coach Sarah Saladino. “Although the outcome is not what we wanted, we fundamentally did a lot of things well and that will continue to pay off throughout the season.”

Johnston’s Hannah Hexton allowed just one earned run on six hits in the first game. Olivia Hemesath led the Dragons at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a run scored.

Emma Munger (2-5) took the loss. She allowed just three earned runs on five hits, but walked nine batters and hit another.

**Ankeny’s Emma Munger throws a pitch during the first game of Wednesday’s twinbill. (Photo by Scott Byers)**

Morgan Fisher went 2-for-3, scored a run and knocked in another for the Hawkettes. Ava Schlee also had one RBI, while Kinsley Ihle had a double.

In the second game, Johnston jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the second inning against Sarah Munger (3-1). Ankeny pulled within 4-3 in the bottom of the frame and later closed the gap to 7-6, but the Hawkettes could never take the lead.

Addison Hattel went 2-for-3 with a double and four RBIs to lead the Dragons. Hexton and Grayce Reiners each scored a pair of runs.

Kensington Arringdale had a big game for Ankeny, going 2-for-3 with a double, a homer and four RBIs. It was her sixth home run of the season.

Ankeny shortstop Kensington Arringdale gets ready to make a throw to first base after fielding a ground ball during Wednesday’s doubleheader. Arringdale went 2-for-3 with a double, a homer and four RBIs in the nightcap, but it wasn’t enough as the Hawkettes dropped a 9-7 decision. (Photo by Scott Byers)

Emerson Hutchins went 2-for-4 and had a solo homer, her third of the year. Emma Munger went 2-for-3 and scored a run.

Johnston improved to 4-8 in the CIML Conference and 9-10 overall. The Hawkettes’ records are now 5-8 and 7-10.

“Overall, I was proud of the performance, the continuous leadership and direction these girls are taking,” Saladino said. “I’m blessed to be their coach, and we look forward to the next opportunity (Thursday) night to keep getting one percent better.”

Ankeny will host a conference game against 12th-ranked Waukee on Thursday. The Warriors are 6-7 in the league and 9-8 overall after being swept by No. 2 Ankeny Centennial on Wednesday.