Ankeny blanks Waukee Northwest, 2-0 | News, Sports, Jobs

Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Ankeny players celebrate their state quarterfinal win over Waukee Northwest on Monday in Rogers Park. For more photos, visit CU.messengernews.net

Don’t let their accomplishments fool you: the Ankeny softball team is extremely proven.

The Hawkettes defeated another ranked opponent in the Class 5A quarterfinals in Rogers Park on Monday, defeating Waukee Northwest 2-0.

Up next for Ankeny (22-20 overall) is top-seeded West Des Moines Valley, which returns here Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Channel Seeds Field. The two played earlier this month, with the Tigers winning 16-4, 7-3.

A pair of runs in the fifth inning were all that remained, as Autumn Leinen drove in Josie Parton on an Abby Rusher double. Brylee Bach scored later in the frame on a wild pitch.

That was enough support for Rusher, as the senior allowed just two hits and struck out four.

“I just love her so much,” said Avery Nelson — a sophomore who had two hits — of Rusher. “She’s a great pitcher and has done an incredible job.”

On the state stage for the 29th time in school history, the Hawkettes defeated Southeast Polk in a 5A regional final. They faced softball’s elite, including state qualifiers Waukee, Urbandale, Fort Dodge, Williamsburg, North Polk and Carlisle.

“We are super excited,” said senior Ava Tomlinson. “Growing up with these girls, this was what we always dreamed of. It’s an amazing feeling to be in the semi-finals.”

Waukee Northwest (33-8), which topped the state rankings earlier this year, now plays a consolation game against Cedar Rapids Prairie on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Yankee Field.

ANCHORS 2,

WAUKEE NORTHWEST 0

Ankeny 000 020 0 — 2 5 0

Northwest 000 000 0 — 0 2 0

WP–Abby Rusher (15-10, 7 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 4 K, 4 BB). LP–Sophia Schlader (18-6, 7 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 7 K, 0 BB).

2B–A: Abby Rusher. RBI–A: Autumn Leinen. SB–A: Josie Parton.