Ankeny’s Lowe, Centennial’s Nesler named to CIML Conference first team

Ankeny runner Easton Lowe races to second base during a game against visiting North Polk on May 21. Lowe has been named to the CIML Conference first team by the league’s baseball coaches. (Photo by Scott Byers)

Senior outfielder Easton Lowe of Ankeny and junior infielder Will Nesler of Ankeny Centennial have been named to the CIML Conference first team by the league’s baseball coaches.

Lowe helped the Hawks to a 14-27 record. He batted .370 with three home runs, five triples, five doubles and 16 RBIs.

Nesler, a shortstop, helped the Jaguars to a 20-16 mark. He batted .361 with seven triples, 10 doubles and 26 RBIs.

**Ankeny Centennial’s Will Nesler hits a single during a game against visiting Urbandale on July 6. Nesler has been named to the CIML Conference first team. (Photo by Stephen McDaniel)**

Centennial placed three players on the CIML Conference second team, including sophomore Brekken Miller, who was selected to a utility position. He was joined on the squad by senior pitcher Eli Starr and senior infielder Will Morris.

Miller, a pitcher and catcher, went 3-3 on the mound with a 4.35 ERA and 56 strikeouts. He also batted .318 with two home runs, six triples and 23 RBIs.

Starr compiled a 5-2 record with a 3.56 ERA and 58 strikeouts. Morris batted .333 with one homer, seven doubles and 19 RBIs.

Ankeny Centennial third baseman Will Morris makes a throw to first for an out during the Jaguars’ win over visiting Dallas Center-Grimes in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on July 10. Morris has been selected to the CIML Conference second team. (Photo by Stephen McDaniel)

Senior outfielder Trae Houser of Centennial was a repeat pick to the all-conference third team. He batted .299 with four doubles and 14 RBIs while stealing 22 bases.

Houser was joined on the squad by senior infielder Alex Cory and junior Cade Newman, who was selected to a utility position. Cory batted .328 with two homers, four triples and 27 RBIs, while Newman batted .274 with two homers, three doubles and 20 RBIs.

Ankeny also landed three players on the third team, including senior Ryan Buffington, who was named to a utility position. Junior pitcher Hunter Minner and junior infielder Ryan Wille were the other third-team picks.

Buffington, a pitcher and first baseman, went 2-4 with a 4.50 ERA and 66 strikeouts. He also batted .282 with one homer, two triples, three doubles and 12 RBIs.

**Ankeny’s Ryan Buffington throws a pitch during a game at Valley on July 6. Buffington was selected to a utility position on the CIML Conference third team. (Photo by Scott Byers)**

Minner compiled a 4-7 record with a 3.86 ERA and 52 strikeouts. Wille batted .258 with two homers, eight doubles and 34 RBIs.

Senior Jack Romig of Ankeny earned all-conference honorable mention for the second straight year. Senior Brayden Kern, junior Ace Parton, sophomore Norman Ha and freshman Drake Allison also earned honorable mention for the Hawks.

Senior Nolan Powell and junior Owen Gasperi of Centennial also earned all-conference honorable mention.