The Ankeny Centennial baseball team extended its winning streak to four games with a 7-2 victory over Algona before dropping an 8-4 decision to third-ranked Cedar Rapids Prairie in the Brent Prange Classic on Saturday at Centennial.
Jack Loutsch was named the team’s MVP in the win over Algona (17-9). Cade Newman earned the honor in the loss to Prairie (25-5).
“Jack threw an outstanding game,” said Centennial coach Mark Hey, whose team is now 17-13 on the season. “He took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, and our guys put together some good innings offensively. It was a good win for us.”
Loutsch (2-1) allowed just one earned run on two hits over the first six innings while recording seven strikeouts. He departed after throwing 100 pitches and was replaced by Brady Stewart, who got the final three outs.
It was the fourth start of the season for Loutsch, who lowered his ERA to a team-best 2.05. He is one of 10 different starters that Hey has used on the mound.
“Everyone has thrown well when they’ve gotten a chance,” Hey said. “We have a very deep staff.”
Newman went 1-for-4, scored two runs and drove in two more. Owen Gasperi went 1-for-3 and knocked in a run.
The Jaguars had just five singles off three Algona pitchers, but took advantage of an error to score three unearned runs.
“We had some clutch hitting,” Hey said. “We’ve been kind of struggling, leaving a lot of guys on base recently. It was kind of nice to see us get some hits with some guys in scoring position.”
In the loss to Prairie, the Hawks jumped out to an 8-1 lead in the first three innings and cruised to the win. Xavier Perez went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs as Prairie won its sixth consecutive game.
Will Morris (1-3) took the loss. He allowed five unearned runs on four hits before being pulled in the second inning.
Tyler Majeski, the third Centennial pitcher, was a bright spot in relief. He tossed three hitless innings, allowing just two walks.
Prairie’s Wyatt Ebel went the distance on the mound, allowing just one earned run on five hits. He walked one and had three strikeouts.
Newman hit a two-run homer, his second of the season. Morris went 2-for-4 and drove in a run, and Will Nesler also had an RBI.
Trae Houser went 1-for-4 and scored a run. Gasperi doubled and also scored.
“Prairie is very talented,” Hey said. “We kind of got off to a slow start, but I was proud to see our guys battle back and put up some runs late.”
Centennial will host a non-conference game against No. 9 Fort Dodge on Tuesday. The Dodgers (27-7) are riding a four-game winning streak in which they have outscored their opponents by a 59-6 margin.
“Our schedule is certainly not easy, but we like it that way,” Hey said. “We’ve got our work cut out for us this week, but that helps us prepare for the postseason.”