Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Mackenzie James of Ankeny Centennial catches a fly ball against Waukee on Monday at Rogers Park. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

When Ankeny Centennial head coach Brett Delaney said his team found a “little luck” Monday afternoon at the state softball tournament, he wasn’t kidding.

Down to their last five outs and trailing 2019 state runner-up Waukee in the sixth, the Jaguars staged an incredible comeback, highlighted by a two-run homer from Ella Schulz to defeat the Warriors, 5-2.

Ankeny Centennial (22-8 overall) now meets top-seed and tournament host Fort Dodge (27-3) on Wednesday at Rogers Park in a Class 5A semifinal. First-pitch is set for 12:30 p.m. on Dodger Diamond — one of the “mini major” fields, which is not the regular home for the Dodgers.

Down 2-0 in the top of the sixth, Schulz launched an Elly Bates pitch towards the left-field fence. As the Warrior outfielder tracked it, the ball hit her glove and bounced over for a home run, tying things at 2-all.

The Jaguars used that momentum to plate three runs in the top of the seventh and cement the thrilling come-from-behind victory in their state debut. They have won six in a row since a loss to Johnston late in the regular season.

“Lately, we’ve been waiting for the later innings to score,” Delaney said. “We were never in panic mode. The girls were excited to play. We took advantage of some small things and got a couple lucky plays to go our way.

“I was impressed with our outcome because that was a very good Waukee team.”

Madi Huisman, who is headed to Iowa Central in the fall to continue her career, earned the win inside the circle for Ankeny Centennial, striking out two over seven innings and scattering nine hits. Schultz and Taylor Runchey, who recorded a two-run double in the seventh, each had a pair of RBI while Mackenzie James collected two hits.

Delaney, in his second season as head coach, knows another stiff challenge awaits his club on Wednesday.

“Fort Dodge has been one of the top teams in the state all year,” he said. “We are excited to get the opportunity to compete against them and be on the same field. The girls will be ready and they are excited to play.

“Hopefully, we find ways to get another victory.”

For the Warriors, Reagan Bartholomew and Mikayla Hannam each had two hits, with Ava Smith and Hannam recording an RBI during the two-run first. Bates finished with five strikeouts and Maddie Oetzmann struck out three in an inning of work.

Waukee had reached the championship round in each of its previous three trips to state, claiming the title in 2015.

ANKENY CENTENNIAL 5, WAUKEE 2

Centennial 000 002 3 — 5 5 1

Waukee 200 000 0 — 2 9 1

WP — Madi Huisman (11-1, 7 IP, 9 H, 2 ER, 2 K, 1 BB); LP — Elly Bates (11-4, 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 5 K, 1 BB).

2B — AC: Taylor Runchey. HR — AC: Ella Schulz. RBI — AC: Franie Burnett, Taylor Runchey (2), Ella Schulz (2); W: Ava Smith, Mikayla Hannam. SB — AC: Franie Burnett; W: Ava Smith. LOB — AC: 4; W: 6.