‘It was great to get some bats on her’: Hawkettes score 3 runs vs. NW’s Schlader

Ankeny players (from left) Zoe Sullivan, Morgan Fisher and Adriana Wylie collect some dirt from the infield following Wednesday’s game against visiting Waukee Northwest. The Hawkettes dropped a 9-3 decision in their final home game of the season. Work will begin immediately to replace the dirt infield with artificial turf. (Photo by Scott Byers)

The Ankeny softball team played its last game on the dirt infield at Dick Rasmussen Field on Wednesday night.

The Hawkettes dropped a 9-3 decision to top-ranked Waukee Northwest in their final home game of the season. Work will begin immediately to replace the dirt infield with artificial turf.

“I’m excited for next year when these girls will get to play on the turf,” said senior outfielder Avery Nelson. “It’ll be a great upgrade for them. It is sad that it’s our last game on here. It’s pretty bittersweet considering the fact that I’ve been here for five years.”

**Ankeny starter Abby Buenzow throws a pitch during Wednesday’s game. She allowed four earned runs on six hits over the first three innings. (Photo by Scott Byers)**

Despite the loss, Ankeny saw some positive signs from its hitters. The Hawkettes managed five hits off Northwest star Sophia Schlader, whose ERA climbed to 0.72 after giving up three earned runs.

The Wolves built a 4-0 lead against Ankeny starter Abby Buenzow (2-2) in the first three innings. Emerson Hutchins then blasted a solo homer with two outs in the fourth off Schlader, who had tossed a no-hitter against the Hawkettes on June 8.

It was her fifth homer of the season.

Ankeny’s Emerson Hutchins swings at a pitch during Wednesday’s game. Hutchins went 2-for-3 with a homer and two RBIs against Waukee Northwest ace Sophia Schlader, who is considered to be the state’s best pitcher. (Photo by Scott Byers)

“I was just kind of trying to swing early because she was throwing strikes pretty early in the count, so I was trying to get the bat on the ball and it went,” said Hutchins. “It was a pretty hard-hit ball.”

After Northwest extended its lead to 6-1, Hutchins hit an RBI single in the sixth. The Hawkettes then scored another run on an error to cut the deficit to 6-3.

Hutchins’ single through the left side was almost identical to her walk-off, two-run single in the seventh inning to beat No. 7 Dowling Catholic, 7-6, in the first game of a doubleheader on Monday.

**The Ankeny players pose for a team photo following their final home game of the season. (Photo by Scott Byers)**

“You’ve got to load up pretty early on (Schlader) to get around on her,” Hutchins said. “They’re the No. 1 team in the state and she’s the best pitcher, so it was great to get some bats on her.”

Schlader finished with 12 strikeouts and now leads Class 5A with 216. She also went 2-for-2 at the plate with a double.

Maggie Allen hit a two-run homer in the seventh as Northwest increased its margin to 9-3. Pinch-hitter Gabby Kerschke followed with another blast two batters later, but was robbed of a two-run homer when Nelson reached above the fence to catch the ball for the final out.

Ankeny centerfielder Avery Nelson catches a fly ball off the bat of Waukee Northwest’s Gabby Kerschke during the seventh inning of Wednesday’s game. Nelson made the catch right in front of and above the fence, likely robbing Gerschke of a two-run homer. (Photo by Scott Byers)

“I had my hand on the fence,” Nelson said. “I’m pretty sure I had my glove above the fence. I was on my left side so I had my throwing hand on the fence so I was able to find it better.”

The Wolves improved to 18-3 in the CIML Conference and 32-3 overall. Ankeny’s records dropped to 7-15 and 12-22.

The Hawkettes will play two games in the Coach Schlafke Classic on Friday at Dallas Center-Grimes. They will meet No. 11 Des Moines Roosevelt (22-10) at 12:45 p.m. and Class 4A No. 10 Norwalk (19-14) at 4:15 p.m.