SENIOR TY McKINNEY is one of the main players returning for Webster City on the baseball field this year. (DFJ file photo)

RIPPEY — When Webster City baseball coach Adison Kehoe and his staff formulated the 2023 summer schedule, there was a feeling to testing his team with a strong nonconference slate. This was due to prepping his squad for the road ahead — particularly when it’s postseason time.

After all, the Lynx have lofty ambitions, following a 22-8 overall record, a fifth consecutive North Central Conference crown and an appearance in the Class 3A-Substate 1 championship.

So, Kehoe and the Lynx started their season with a bout against No. 2-ranked (Class 4A) Ankeny Centennial, who boasts one of the best pitchers in the state in junior Joey Oakie.

Facing off against the Jaguars this past Monday at Walt Anderson Field, the Lynx hung in for three innings before surrendering a 9-0 setback.

While junior pitcher Keegan Hisler would fend off Ankeny Centennial for three innings, the Jaguars would score off of Emerson Alberhasky drove in a run off of an RBI triple in the fourth inning. The Jaguars won the war of attrition, plating five runs in the fifth inning and three runs in the bottom of the sixth frame.

By the top of the seventh, the Lynx fell behind, 9-0.

Oakie allowed just one hit while on the bump, and fanned 11 Lynx batters in four innings. Alberhasky came in as relief, striking out seven more Webster City batters.

Overall, Ankeny Centennial racked up 18 strikeouts.

On Tuesday, the Lynx sought to get into the win column, taking on Eagle Grove at Greenwood Park in Eagle Grove. Results from the game between Webster City and the Eagles will be reported in an upcoming edition of the Daily Freeman-Journal.

On Thursday, the Lynx will travel to Slate to take on Ballard at Nite Hawk Baseball Diamond.