Ankeny Fanatic

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After routing No. 4 DC-G, Jaguars will play for outright CIML crown on Wednesday
After routing No. 4 DC-G, Jaguars will play for outright CIML crown on Wednesday

After routing No. 4 DC-G, Jaguars will play for outright CIML crown on Wednesday

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The Ankeny Centennial softball team passed another huge test on Tuesday with a 9-2 victory at Dallas Center-Grimes in a non-conference showdown between top-five squads. The second-ranked Jaguars used an eight-run second inning to build a commanding 9-0 lead. No. 4 Dallas Center-Grimes scored two runs in the fifth to extend the game, but the Mustangs … [Read more...] about After routing No. 4 DC-G, Jaguars will play for outright CIML crown on Wednesday

‘I’m really, really proud of them’: Jaguars split with Urbandale to close out season

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Ankeny Centennial baseball team has officially closed out the regular season, and now all eyes are set on postseason play. The Jaguars split their Monday night doubleheader finale against ninth-ranked Urbandale with senior Dylan Surat scoring the winning run as a pinch-runner in an 8-7 walk-off victory before having a … [Read more...] about ‘I’m really, really proud of them’: Jaguars split with Urbandale to close out season

‘Our guys bounced back’: After dropping opener, Hawks rout Valley to earn split

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The Ankeny baseball team prevented Valley from sweeping the season series by posting a 10-4 victory on the road in the second game of a doubleheader on Monday. The Hawks bounced back after dropping an 11-1 decision in five innings in the opener. "It was their Senior Night and they ran a bunch of different arms out there in game two, but our guys … [Read more...] about ‘Our guys bounced back’: After dropping opener, Hawks rout Valley to earn split

‘Stepping away was not an easy decision’: Fuccio resigns as Hawks’ soccer coach

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Ankeny boys' soccer coach Trevor Fuccio has decided to focus on his other responsibilities. Fuccio resigned from his position after guiding the Hawks to a 28-27-3 record over the last three seasons. He led the program to a pair of state tournament berths. "Stepping away from the program was not an easy decision," said Fuccio. "I’ve truly enjoyed my … [Read more...] about ‘Stepping away was not an easy decision’: Fuccio resigns as Hawks’ soccer coach

‘We just need to tighten up some areas’: Hawkettes swept by Valley to end season

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The Ankeny softball team closed out the regular season on Monday by being swept in a doubleheader at third-ranked Valley. The Tigers posted an 8-0 win in six innings in the opener, then used a five-run sixth inning to seal an 11-5 victory in the nightcap. They improved to 17-5 in the CIML Conference and 28-7 overall, while Ankeny finished 7-17 in the … [Read more...] about ‘We just need to tighten up some areas’: Hawkettes swept by Valley to end season

Jaguars rally to sweep Urbandale, clinch share of conference title on Senior Night

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Despite playing just one game in the previous eight days, the Ankeny Centennial softball team had no trouble picking up right where it left off. The second-ranked Jaguars swept a doubleheader against visiting Urbandale on Monday and clinched at least a share of the CIML Conference title in the process, thanks to No. 1 Waukee Northwest's 4-3 loss at No. 6 … [Read more...] about Jaguars rally to sweep Urbandale, clinch share of conference title on Senior Night

‘We respect every team we play’: Eagles roll past Mormon Trail to open postseason

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The Ankeny Christian Academy baseball players didn't overlook their first opponent in district play, even though the Eagles had routed Mormon Trail twice during the regular season. Anthony Abbas went 3-for-4, scored two runs and drove in three more to lead ACA to a 21-0 victory over the Saints in four innings in a Class 1A district quarterfinal on Monday … [Read more...] about ‘We respect every team we play’: Eagles roll past Mormon Trail to open postseason

Ankeny boys’ tennis coach Miller retires from position after 6 seasons with Hawks

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Ankeny boys' tennis coach Ron Miller has retired from his position after six seasons with the Hawks. Miller announced his departure on Friday. "After much deliberation and internal conflict, I have decided to retire from coaching at Ankeny," Miller wrote in an email. "I know this is not a surprise to everyone, but it did take awhile to actually step … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys’ tennis coach Miller retires from position after 6 seasons with Hawks

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ryan Buffington, Ankeny baseball

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Senior pitcher and first baseman Ryan Buffington has helped the Ankeny baseball team to an 11-24 record, including a 5-15 mark in the CIML Conference. The Hawks won five straight games before dropping a 6-2 decision to visiting Waukee Northwest on Wednesday. Buffington has compiled a 1-3 record with a 5.13 ERA. He leads the team with 52 strikeouts, … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ryan Buffington, Ankeny baseball

‘It was great to get some bats on her’: Hawkettes score 3 runs vs. NW’s Schlader

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The Ankeny softball team played its last game on the dirt infield at Dick Rasmussen Field on Wednesday night. The Hawkettes dropped a 9-3 decision to top-ranked Waukee Northwest in their final home game of the season. Work will begin immediately to replace the dirt infield with artificial turf. "I'm excited for next year when these girls will get to … [Read more...] about ‘It was great to get some bats on her’: Hawkettes score 3 runs vs. NW’s Schlader

‘We dropped a tough one’: Wolves’ 4-run 7th inning ends Ankeny’s winning streak

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A perfectly executed double steal with two outs in the top of the seventh inning allowed the Waukee Northwest baseball team to break a 2-2 tie and opened the door for a four-run outburst that gave the Wolves a 6-2 victory on Wednesday at Ankeny, spoiling the Hawks' Senior Night and snapping their five-game winning streak. Northwest prevented Ankeny from … [Read more...] about ‘We dropped a tough one’: Wolves’ 4-run 7th inning ends Ankeny’s winning streak

‘This team just never gives up’: Jaguars stun Dowling girls with miraculous rally

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In a season full of improbable comebacks by the Ankeny Centennial softball team, the Jaguars' latest rally from an almost certain defeat may have been the most miraculous one yet. Down to its final out, second-ranked Centennial rallied for four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to forge an 8-8 tie against No. 7 Dowling Catholic on Wednesday. Kori … [Read more...] about ‘This team just never gives up’: Jaguars stun Dowling girls with miraculous rally

Starr shines on mound, at the plate in Jaguars’ 6-2 win over Dowling Catholic

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Senior Eli Starr has been one of the most consistent starting pitchers this season for the Ankeny Centennial baseball team. On Wednesday, Starr contributed with his bat as well. The Lake Land College (Ill.) recruit went 2-for-3 and drove in three runs to help his own cause on the mound, where he allowed just two earned runs on five hits over the first … [Read more...] about Starr shines on mound, at the plate in Jaguars’ 6-2 win over Dowling Catholic

‘That’s haunted us all year’: Jags tumble to Fort Dodge as hitting woes continue

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(Story by Dom Tornabane) Ankeny Centennial honored its 13 baseball seniors on Tuesday night at home against Fort Dodge, hoping for a non-conference win over a talented opponent. Unfortunately, it was the Dodgers who came away with a 7-2 victory, spoiling the Senior Night festivities and defeating Centennial for the first time since 2022. Fort Dodge … [Read more...] about ‘That’s haunted us all year’: Jags tumble to Fort Dodge as hitting woes continue

Minner, Hawks beat Dowling Catholic again, extend winning streak to 5 games

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The Ankeny baseball team could be a dangerous opponent in the postseason, especially when junior pitcher Hunter Minner is on top of his game. Minner likely made his final full start of the regular season on Tuesday, when he nearly tossed a complete game as the Hawks posted a 6-1 victory at Dowling Catholic to complete a sweep of the season series. The … [Read more...] about Minner, Hawks beat Dowling Catholic again, extend winning streak to 5 games

‘We did what we needed to do’: Ankeny earns walk-off victory on Hutchins’ single

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A dramatic rally allowed the Ankeny softball team to win the season series against seventh-ranked Dowling Catholic. The Hawkettes scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to post a 7-6 victory in the first game of a doubleheader on Monday at Ankeny. Emerson Hutchins hit a walk-off, two-run single with two outs to cap the rally. "I was just … [Read more...] about ‘We did what we needed to do’: Ankeny earns walk-off victory on Hutchins’ single

Jags to host DC-G in substate quarterfinal, while Ankeny will travel to Roosevelt

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The Class 4A substate baseball pairings were announced on Tuesday by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. Ankeny Centennial was awarded a No. 3 seed in Substate 4. The Jaguars (17-13) will host fourth-seeded Dallas Center-Grimes (16-11) in a substate quarterfinal on Friday, July 10 at 7 p.m. It will be a rematch of a game on May 21 at Dallas … [Read more...] about Jags to host DC-G in substate quarterfinal, while Ankeny will travel to Roosevelt

‘It feels great’: Hawks pound out 28 hits in doubleheader sweep over Dowling boys

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The Ankeny baseball team appears to be peaking just in time for postseason play. The Hawks moved ahead of Dowling Catholic in the CIML Conference standings by sweeping a doubleheader against the visiting Maroons on Monday. They posted an 11-6 victory in the opener, then completed the sweep with a 15-6 win. "We played a good doubleheader tonight," said … [Read more...] about ‘It feels great’: Hawks pound out 28 hits in doubleheader sweep over Dowling boys