Scoring runs has not been a problem this season for the Ankeny softball team, which entered postseason play averaging more than five runs a game.
It’s holding their opponents down that has been an issue for the Hawkettes.
Ankeny’s season came to an end on Saturday with a 13-8 loss at 15th-ranked Cedar Rapids Prairie in a Class 5A regional semifinal. The Hawkettes, who finished with a 12-25 record, gave up a total of 55 runs in their last five games–all of them losses.
Prairie (27-13) pounded out 11 hits off three Ankeny pitchers and also capitalized on five errors by the Hawkettes.
“They had a pretty good offense, but it’s no better than our (offense),” said Ankeny outfielder Avery Nelson. “They just took advantage of our mistakes that we made and scored on the errors.”
Prairie did most of its damage in the first two innings. The Hawks jumped out to a 5-1 lead against Ankeny starter Emma Munger, who had some control problems and walked four batters before being replaced with two outs in the first inning.
The Hawkettes used a five-run rally in the second inning to briefly take a 6-5 lead, but Prairie then answered with another five-run outburst in the bottom of the frame. The Hawks added three more runs in the fourth to build a 13-6 advantage.
“I didn’t expect the score to get that high,” Nelson said. “We knew that they would hit the ball, and we would have to defend it.”
Deija Cooper went 3-for-5 with two doubles and three RBIs to lead the Hawks. Piper Johnson tripled and drove in three runs, while Emeri Hill went 3-for-3 with a double and one RBI.
Abby Buenzow (2-4) took the loss in relief, allowing eight runs–five of them earned–on seven hits over 4 2/3 innings. She walked five and had three strikeouts.
It was the final high school game for Ankeny seniors Kensington Arringdale, McKenna Byers and Nelson. Arringdale went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and blasted a home run in the sixth inning, her 14th of the season.
Nelson also had a big game at the plate. She went 3-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs.
“I truly can’t believe my five years as an Ankeny Hawkette are over,” Nelson said. “It went by so fast, and I am so grateful for this program.”
Sarah Munger went 2-for-3 with a double and knocked in two runs. Morgan Fisher went 1-for-2 with two walks and scored three times.
Prairie’s Lyla Canny (14-7) went the distance in the circle. She allowed eight runs–three of them earned–on eight hits and had six strikeouts.
The Hawks advanced to Tuesday’s regional final at No. 4 Dallas Center-Grimes (28-6).
