After entering the week with a seven-game winning streak, the Ankeny baseball team is now on a five-game losing skid. And with the postseason set to begin in less than 48 hours, the Hawks can't afford another loss. Ankeny closed out the regular season on Wednesday with a make-up doubleheader at third-ranked Johnston, which rallied for an 8-7 victory in … [Read more...] about Hawks fall twice at No. 3 Johnston, gear up for substate opener at No. 7 Indianola
‘I’m pretty proud of them’: Eagles outlast SE Warren in 9 innings, reach district final
With only one senior on its roster, the Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team didn't have a lot of expectations this season. But the Eagles are growing up fast. First baseman Tyson Fincham hit a two-run single in the ninth inning and ACA moved two wins away from its first trip to the Class 1A state tournament with a 5-3 victory at Southeast Warren in … [Read more...] about ‘I’m pretty proud of them’: Eagles outlast SE Warren in 9 innings, reach district final
Jaguars close out regular season by splitting doubleheader against Waukee
Darin Severs tossed another gem as the Ankeny Centennial baseball team posted a 9-2 victory over visiting Waukee to salvage a split of Tuesday's make-up CIML Conference doubleheader. The 10th-ranked Warriors won the opener, 6-4, in 10 innings. That game was resumed on Tuesday after being suspended due to rain on June 18. No. 9 Centennial finished the … [Read more...] about Jaguars close out regular season by splitting doubleheader against Waukee
Hawks drop 7-1 decision at North Polk, will head to Johnston next for 2 games
The North Polk baseball team used a six-run outburst in the fourth inning to break a 1-1 tie and went on to defeat visiting Ankeny, 7-1, in a non-conference game on Tuesday. The Hawks dropped to 14-22 overall with their third straight loss. North Polk raised its record to 19-11. Kinnick Vos doubled and walked twice for Ankeny, which had just four hits … [Read more...] about Hawks drop 7-1 decision at North Polk, will head to Johnston next for 2 games
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 311
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 softball season thus far and previews the upcoming postseason with coach Sarah Saladino and senior pitcher Aubrey Lensmeyer of Ankeny. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 311
After losing on walk-off blast in 8th inning, Jaguars rally past Urbandale to earn split
Ankeny Centennial's lineup proved to be double trouble for the Urbandale baseball team on Monday night. The ninth-ranked Jaguars pounded out eight doubles among their 18 hits and posted a 10-5 road victory in the second game of a CIML Conference doubleheader, allowing them to salvage a split of the twinbill. Urbandale won the opener, 7-6, on Trey … [Read more...] about After losing on walk-off blast in 8th inning, Jaguars rally past Urbandale to earn split
Hawkettes rally from 9-2 deficit, defeat Valley on Nelson’s walk-off double in 8th
It would not have been ideal for the Ankeny softball team to enter regional play on a seven-game losing skid. A dramatic rally in the first game of Monday's doubleheader against fourth-ranked Valley allowed the Hawkettes to avoid that scenario. Ankeny overcame a 9-2 deficit on its home field and got a walk-off double from Avery Nelson in the bottom of … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rally from 9-2 deficit, defeat Valley on Nelson’s walk-off double in 8th
No. 8 Valley snaps Hawks’ winning streak, moves closer to CIML Conference crown
The Valley baseball team moved closer to the CIML Conference title by sweeping a doubleheader on Monday at Ankeny. The eighth-ranked Tigers posted a 3-2 victory in the opener, then completed the sweep with a 12-3 win. They snapped Ankeny's seven-game winning streak in the process. "Valley has a good number of arms who do a really nice job," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about No. 8 Valley snaps Hawks’ winning streak, moves closer to CIML Conference crown
Jaguars sweep Urbandale to close out regular season, could face J-Hawks again
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