After routing No. 4 DC-G, Jaguars will play for outright CIML crown on Wednesday

Ankeny Centennial’s Kori Lincicum is congratulated by coach Brett Delaney as she circles the bases after hitting a home run during the second game of Monday’s doubleheader against visiting Urbandale. Lincicum homered again on Tuesday while going 2-for-4 with two RBIs to help the Jaguars to a 9-2 victory at Dallas Center-Grimes in a showdown between top-five teams. It was her 15th blast of the season. (Photo by Stephen McDaniel)

The Ankeny Centennial softball team passed another huge test on Tuesday with a 9-2 victory at Dallas Center-Grimes in a non-conference showdown between top-five squads.

The second-ranked Jaguars used an eight-run second inning to build a commanding 9-0 lead. No. 4 Dallas Center-Grimes scored two runs in the fifth to extend the game, but the Mustangs (26-5) were unable to keep the rally going against Centennial reliever Peyten Spiegel.

Spiegel recorded seven strikeouts over the final three innings in relief of Lauren Sandholm (10-0), who gave up two earned runs on just one hit and three walks in four-plus innings.

“We were very fortunate for the opportunity to play a top-five team this late in the season,” said Centennial coach Brett Delaney, whose team improved to 35-2 overall with its seventh straight win. “It was a great opportunity to learn and grow. We got a great pitching performance out of Lauren and Peyten.”

Kori Lincicum went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs to lead the Jaguars’ attack. It was her 15th homer of the season and the team’s 79th.

Sandholm also went 2-for-4 and drove in two runs to help her own cause. Emmy Ott doubled and had two RBIs.

**Ankeny Centennial’s Ava Faber waits on a pitch during a game at Waukee on June 17. Faber singled and drove in a run in the Jaguars’ win at Dallas Center-Grimes on Tuesday. (Photo by Jerrad Downer)**

Jordyn Kennedy went 2-for-3 with a walk and scored a run. Ava Faber had one of the team’s nine hits and knocked in a run.

“Our offense came alive early and defensively we made the routine plays,” Delaney said.

The Jaguars will close out the regular season on Wednesday by hosting a CIML Conference doubleheader against No. 3 Valley, beginning at 10 a.m. The Tigers are riding a five-game winning streak after sweeping a doubleheader against Class 4A No. 5 North Scott on Tuesday.

Centennial is 20-2 in conference play and has already clinched at least a share of the league crown. No. 1 Waukee Northwest posted a 4-0 win at No. 13 Johnston on Tuesday to finish at 20-4, keeping its title hopes alive.

The Jaguars only need to win one of the two games to capture the outright conference championship. They posted an 11-2 win at Valley in six innings on June 11.

The Tigers are 17-5 in the CIML and 30-7 overall.