Senior second baseman Ava Faber has helped the second-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team to a 25-1 record. The Jaguars extended their winning streak to 18 games by winning the Fort Dodge Invitational over the weekend, capped off by a 9-3 win over No. 5 Cedar Rapids Kennedy in Saturday’s championship game.
Faber is batting .329 with three home runs, seven doubles and 17 RBIs. She leads the team with four sacrifice bunts.
Here is some inside info on Faber:
Congratulations on a great season thus far. What has been the highlight for you?
The highlight for me so far this season was when we came back against Waukee (on Wednesday). To get that win, we had to dig deep–and more importantly–rely on each other. We never doubted that we could come back and win the game.
Your team overcame a 9-1 deficit to post an 11-9 victory in the first game of that road doubleheader. So you actually believed that the team could come back when you were down to your last three outs if you didn’t score in the fifth inning?
Our team never doubted that we could extend the inning against Waukee to keep the game alive, but we weren’t looking too far ahead. We were focusing on each pitch and how we could extend at bats and chip away at the lead.
What did you think of your team’s performance at the Fort Dodge tournament?
I think our team played great this weekend. Our pitchers all threw great games, and our bats really came together.
Your team is now on the verge of breaking the all-time state record for most home runs in a season, needing just one more to tie the mark of 61 that was set by Pleasant Valley in 2024. How did this squad become such a power-hitting machine?
I think that we have always had the power to hit home runs. But, as my friend Kori Lincicum said earlier, home runs happen by accident and we aren’t going up to bat trying to hit home runs. We are going up with the plan to help the team, whether by bunt, base hit, or on the off chance, a home run.
Your teammate, Jordyn Kennedy, leads the way with 15 homers (and counting). She is now within striking distance of Kendyl Lindaman’s all-time record of 71 home runs after hitting nine blasts since June 11. Have you ever seen her as hot as she has been over the last 10 days?
Jordyn is one of the hardest working people I know, so it has been really amazing watching her hard work pay off. She is so humble, and it is amazing seeing her continue to succeed on the field.
Your team has another big week coming up, including a doubleheader at No. 1 Waukee Northwest on Thursday that could decide the CIML Conference title. The Wolves handed your team its only loss, 6-5, on June 4. How badly do you want to beat them, since they also defeated you in last year’s Class 5A semifinals?
We approach all of our games with a desire to win, so this one will be no different. Waukee Northwest is a very talented team, so we are looking forward to the challenge of facing them again.
Northwest boasts one of the nation’s best pitchers in sophomore Sophia Schlader, who allowed seven hits and had nine strikeouts in the first meeting. What makes her so tough to hit?
Sophia is a great pitcher and throws at a very high level. When you go against her, you always know you will get her best.
You went 1-for-4 with a double against her the last time. Did you get a pitch you were looking for on the double?
When I have faced her previously, I have looked for a pitch in the zone that I felt I could drive and trusted in myself and the work that I have put in up to this point.
Do you think your team gained a lot of confidence from that game, since you scored more runs against Schlader than you previously had?
Our team continues to build confidence with every game we play together. One thing that makes this team so special is our ability to trust in each other, and we are continuing to build on the mindset from last year #ASONE. This has really helped us to play not for ourselves, but for the team and each other. That being said, we know that every game against Sophia will be a hard one. And we are looking forward to this week’s challenge.
You are headed to DMACC to play for the Bears in the fall. What did you like about DMACC’s program?
What I liked most about DMACC was their program culture that they have created. The way they play aligned a lot with the values that I want to continue to play with. I also have enjoyed getting to know the coaching staff and players.
What are you going to study?
I plan to pursue my degree in business and continue on to a four-year university.