The Ankeny Centennial softball team closed out the regular season on Monday against the same opponent that it could face on Saturday in a Class 5A regional semifinal. The third-ranked Jaguars swept a doubleheader at Urbandale to wrap up a second-place finish in the CIML Conference. They rolled to a 14-3 victory in five innings in the opener, then … [Read more...] about Jaguars sweep Urbandale to close out regular season, could face J-Hawks again
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Brady Carter, Ankeny baseball
Senior catcher Brady Carter has helped the Ankeny baseball team to a 14-19 record, including an 8-12 mark in the CIML Conference. The Hawks are currently riding a seven-game winning streak. Carter is batting .287 with five doubles and a team-high 20 RBIs. He doubled and drove in three runs as the Hawks celebrated their Senior Night with a 6-5 victory over … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Brady Carter, Ankeny baseball
Eagles roll past Melcher-Dallas, will play in Class 1A district semifinal on Tuesday
The Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team used a six-run third inning to defeat Melcher-Dallas, 9-2, in a Class 1A district quarterfinal on Saturday at Southeast Warren. The Eagles (13-10) pounded out 12 hits off three Melcher-Dallas pitchers. Lucas Erickson went 2-for-4 with four RBIs and was also the winning pitcher, combining with Landon Curtis on a … [Read more...] about Eagles roll past Melcher-Dallas, will play in Class 1A district semifinal on Tuesday
Jaguars snap brief two-game skid with doubleheader sweep at Sioux City North
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team stepped out of CIML Conference play on Saturday and swept a non-conference doubleheader at Sioux City North. The ninth-ranked Jaguars posted an 8-4 victory in the first game, then completed the sweep with a 13-3 win. They improved to 21-11 on the season, while North's record fell to 27-11. Centennial used a five-run … [Read more...] about Jaguars snap brief two-game skid with doubleheader sweep at Sioux City North
Kennedy blasts 4 homers in Jaguars’ 3 wins, sets single-season school record
Jordyn Kennedy and the Ankeny Centennial softball team enjoyed a prolific day on Thursday. Kennedy blasted four home runs and set the school's single-season record as the third-ranked Jaguars won a pair of games at the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational before returning home to post an 8-6 victory over No. 4 Valley in a make-up CIML Conference game. "We … [Read more...] about Kennedy blasts 4 homers in Jaguars’ 3 wins, sets single-season school record
‘It already felt like home’: Gerstel to join Halverson on Ellsworth pitching staff
Until recently, Ankeny senior Travis Gerstel wasn't planning to continue his baseball career in college. Now, the righthanded pitcher has committed to play for Ellsworth Community College. "At the start of the season I wasn’t planning to go onto the next level," said Gerstel. "It wasn’t until recently I had a conversation with my dad that changed my … [Read more...] about ‘It already felt like home’: Gerstel to join Halverson on Ellsworth pitching staff
Struggling Hawkettes fall to 11-25 with shutout losses to ADM, North Polk
The Ankeny softball team dropped a pair of games to Class 4A ranked opponents at the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational on Thursday. The Hawkettes suffered a 3-0 loss to No. 4 ADM, then fell to No. 7 North Polk, 12-0, in four innings. They are now 11-25 on the season. ADM (24-6) scored a run in each of the first three innings. Lauren Hagedorn doubled, … [Read more...] about Struggling Hawkettes fall to 11-25 with shutout losses to ADM, North Polk
Hawks edge DC-G on Senior Night, extend their winning streak to 7 games
The surging Ankeny baseball team extended its winning streak to seven games with a 6-5 victory over visiting Dallas Center-Grimes in a non-conference game on Thursday. The Hawks used a four-run third inning to erase a 3-2 deficit, then held on for the win on their Senior Night. They raised their record to 14-19, while Dallas Center-Grimes fell to … [Read more...] about Hawks edge DC-G on Senior Night, extend their winning streak to 7 games
Valley baseball team defeats Jaguars, moves into 3-way tie atop conference
The Valley baseball team moved into a tie for first place in the CIML Conference with an 8-1 victory at ninth-ranked Ankeny Centennial on Thursday. The Tigers' win, coupled with a loss by third-ranked Waukee Northwest to No. 5 Johnston, created a three-way tie atop the conference. They are now 14-8 in the league and 20-12 overall. Waukee Northwest also … [Read more...] about Valley baseball team defeats Jaguars, moves into 3-way tie atop conference
Ex-AHS softball star Rusher transfers to Bradley after freshman year at Creighton
Former Ankeny softball star Abby Rusher has transferred to Bradley University following her freshman season at Creighton. "So excited for this new chapter!" Rusher tweeted Tuesday on X in announcing her commitment to the Braves. Rusher, a pitcher, helped the Bluejays to a 30-25 record, including a 15-9 mark in the Big East Conference. She appeared in … [Read more...] about Ex-AHS softball star Rusher transfers to Bradley after freshman year at Creighton
‘Zach put us on his back’: Halverson goes distance, leads Hawks past Waukee NW
The Ankeny baseball team fell out of contention for the CIML Conference title early in the season. But that doesn't mean that the Hawks can't have an impact on the race. Zach Halverson tossed a six-hitter and had nine strikeouts to lead Ankeny to a 5-3 victory on Wednesday at third-ranked Waukee Northwest, which was hoping to move closer to the league … [Read more...] about ‘Zach put us on his back’: Halverson goes distance, leads Hawks past Waukee NW
No. 1 Wolves shut out Ankeny, capture outright CIML Conference championship
Despite dropping a 5-0 decision on Wednesday at top-ranked Waukee Northwest, the Ankeny softball team made the Wolves work for their 25th consecutive victory. Northwest led by only 2-0 through four innings. The Wolves tacked on a run in the fifth inning, then added two more in the sixth to wrap up the outright CIML Conference championship. "It was some … [Read more...] about No. 1 Wolves shut out Ankeny, capture outright CIML Conference championship
‘It was a tough one to lose’: Jaguars fall at Dowling on throwing error in 9th inning
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team entered Wednesday's contest at Dowling Catholic with an 8-3 record and a seven-game winning streak in one-run decisions. The ninth-ranked Jaguars have demonstrated an ability to win close games, but this was one that got away from them. Dowling scored the winning run on an error in the bottom of the ninth inning to … [Read more...] about ‘It was a tough one to lose’: Jaguars fall at Dowling on throwing error in 9th inning
‘We needed those bats’: Jaguars pound out 11 hits in 9-5 victory at Dowling
On a night when the Ankeny Centennial softball team committed three errors, the Jaguars' bats more than made up for the defensive mistakes. Third-ranked Centennial pounded out 11 hits, four of them for extra bases, and posted a 9-5 victory at Dowling Catholic on Wednesday to complete a sweep of the season series. "It was another quality opponent in the … [Read more...] about ‘We needed those bats’: Jaguars pound out 11 hits in 9-5 victory at Dowling
SENIOR SALUTE: No. 3 Jaguars celebrate trio of players with win over Fort Dodge
The three seniors on the Ankeny Centennial softball team took a bow before leaving Tuesday's non-conference game against visiting Fort Dodge. With two outs in the top of the seventh inning, Centennial coach Brett Delaney replaced the trio of pitcher Aubrey Scieszinski, catcher Makenna Foster and left fielder Mary Brantley as the third-ranked Jaguars held … [Read more...] about SENIOR SALUTE: No. 3 Jaguars celebrate trio of players with win over Fort Dodge
‘We had some great at-bats’: Hawks top S.E. Polk for season-high 5th straight win
The signs of progress have been there for the Ankeny baseball team. Now, the wins are coming as well. The Hawks extended their winning streak to a season-high five games with a 6-3 victory over visiting Southeast Polk in a make-up game on Tuesday. They improved to 7-12 in the CIML Conference and 12-19 overall, while the Rams' records fell to 10-10 and … [Read more...] about ‘We had some great at-bats’: Hawks top S.E. Polk for season-high 5th straight win
Hawkettes pound out 12 hits, but tumble to No. 6 S.E. Polk girls in extra innings
The Ankeny softball team is hoping to get another shot at CIML Conference rival Southeast Polk. After the two squads split a doubleheader on June 5 at Pleasant Hill, the sixth-ranked Rams traveled to Ankeny on Tuesday for a make-up game and posted an 8-5 victory in eight innings. They scored two runs in the sixth inning to tie it at 5-5 and then used a … [Read more...] about Hawkettes pound out 12 hits, but tumble to No. 6 S.E. Polk girls in extra innings
Ankeny sweeps Maroons in potential preview of substate semifinal on July 14
The Ankeny baseball team traveled to Dowling Catholic on Monday for a CIML Conference doubleheader against the Maroons, who could potentially host the Hawks again in a Class 4A substate semifinal on July 14. That possibility led to both squads making some adjustments to their lineups, especially with the use of their pitchers. Neither coach wanted the … [Read more...] about Ankeny sweeps Maroons in potential preview of substate semifinal on July 14
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 310
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Legacy Realty of Iowa and Revive Dermatology Clinic and Spa, publisher Dan Holm breaks down the baseball season thus far and previews the upcoming postseason with coach Mark Hey and senior shortstop Isaac Bruhl of Ankeny Centennial. Realtor Tiffany Rumelhart also makes an appearance. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 310
Severs shines on Senior Night, tosses 3-hit gem to lead Jaguars to win over Norwalk
Darin Severs overcame a rocky start to remain unbeaten and the ninth-ranked Ankeny Centennial baseball team celebrated its Senior Night with an 8-2 victory over visiting Norwalk in a non-conference game on Monday. After giving up two runs in the first inning, one of which was unearned, Severs went on to toss a three-hitter. He walked three and had six … [Read more...] about Severs shines on Senior Night, tosses 3-hit gem to lead Jaguars to win over Norwalk