Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Archives for July 2020

Billings wins twice as Hawkettes sweep North to raise their record to 18-9

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The Ankeny softball team picked up a pair of victories on Friday--and so did sophomore pitcher Ashtyn Billings. Billings earned the win in both games as 15th-ranked Ankeny swept a doubleheader at Des Moines North. The Hawkettes posted a 15-0 victory in three innings in the opener, then completed the sweep with a 13-0 win in five innings. Billings (9-5) … [Read more...] about Billings wins twice as Hawkettes sweep North to raise their record to 18-9

Hawks take care of business, roll to pair of 5-inning victories at North

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Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz was hoping that his players could take care of business quickly on Friday. Mission accomplished. The third-ranked Hawks traveled to Des Moines North for an afternoon doubleheader and came away with a pair of five-inning victories, 14-0 and 14-1. They improved to 17-7 on the season, while the Polar Bears' record dropped … [Read more...] about Hawks take care of business, roll to pair of 5-inning victories at North

Dowling’s misfortune allows Hawks to earn No. 1 seed, bye into substate final

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The Ankeny baseball team will only have to win one game to qualify for this year's state tournament. However, the third-ranked Hawks will also have to overcome an eight-day layoff to earn a return trip to Principal Park. Ankeny (15-7) has been awarded the No. 1 seed in Class 4A Substate 8 after top-ranked Dowling Catholic was forced to cancel the rest … [Read more...] about Dowling’s misfortune allows Hawks to earn No. 1 seed, bye into substate final

Overturf hits Ankeny’s 21st homer in 25 games, leads Hawkettes past Ballard

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Many high school softball teams are fortunate to have one or two players who can hit the ball out of the park. Ankeny is blessed with several power hitters. Gillian Overturf homered and drove in four runs to lead the 15th-ranked Hawkettes to a 5-1 victory over Ballard in a non-conference game on Thursday. "This was a really important night for us," … [Read more...] about Overturf hits Ankeny’s 21st homer in 25 games, leads Hawkettes past Ballard

Hawks build some momentum for postseason with sweep over S.E. Polk

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The Ankeny baseball players had several reasons to be motivated on Wednesday. For someone like Bryce Rinderknecht, it might have been his final opportunity to take the mound for the Hawks. He didn't want to let it go to waste. For others such as Brody Brecht, a chance for some revenge against Southeast Polk was a huge motivating factor. Brecht went … [Read more...] about Hawks build some momentum for postseason with sweep over S.E. Polk

KKKKKKlug tosses 7-hitter as Centennial earns split against No. 7 Dragons

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Sam Klug gave the Ankeny Centennial softball team a much-needed lift on Wednesday. The junior pitcher tossed a seven-hitter to lead the fifth-ranked Jaguars to a 6-3 victory over No. 7 Johnston in the second game of a doubleheader at Centennial. She walked one and had six strikeouts while raising her record to 4-2. Klug's win allowed Centennial to earn … [Read more...] about KKKKKKlug tosses 7-hitter as Centennial earns split against No. 7 Dragons

Hawkettes sweep S.E. Polk with pair of dramatic walk-off victories

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If the Ankeny softball team hopes to reach the Class 5A state tournament, the Hawkettes may have to find some different ways to win a couple of regional games. The 15th-ranked Hawkettes proved on Wednesday that they might be able to do that. And Ankeny even defeated one of the teams, Southeast Polk, that it will have to beat in order to advance to Fort … [Read more...] about Hawkettes sweep S.E. Polk with pair of dramatic walk-off victories

Jaguars fall to .500 mark after being swept by Johnston for second time

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Time is running out on the Ankeny Centennial baseball team. The 10th-ranked Jaguars were swept by No. 2 Johnston for the second time this season on Wednesday at Centennial. The Dragons posted 9-6 and 6-1 victories to extend their winning streak to seven games while raising their record to 17-3. Centennial, meanwhile, dropped to 11-11 after getting off … [Read more...] about Jaguars fall to .500 mark after being swept by Johnston for second time

Ankeny receiver Kumm decommits from MSUM, will play for Iowa Central

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Ankeny football standout Jordan Kumm has decided to stay closer to home. The wide receiver, who had previously committed to play for Minnesota State University Moorhead, announced earlier this week via Twitter that he'll be heading to Iowa Central Community College in the fall. "God's got a plan!" Kumm tweeted. "I would like to thank the whole coaching … [Read more...] about Ankeny receiver Kumm decommits from MSUM, will play for Iowa Central

Rumley hits her 37th career home run to break Lindaman’s Ankeny record

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Ankeny's Jasmine Rumley has already set a bunch of records in the swimming pool. She's been a record-breaker on the softball field, too. The senior third baseman hit her 37th career home run on Tuesday during the Hawkettes' doubleheader split at Dowling Catholic. She broke the Ankeny career mark of 36 homers that was set by Kendyl Lindaman in … [Read more...] about Rumley hits her 37th career home run to break Lindaman’s Ankeny record

No. 3 Hawks split with No. 1 Dowling in potential substate final preview

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(UPDATE: The rest of Dowling Catholic's season has been cancelled after one of its players tested positive for COVID-19.) Tuesday's baseball doubleheader at Dowling Catholic provided a unique opportunity for both the top-ranked Maroons and No. 3 Ankeny to get a glimpse of their potential opponent in a Class 4A substate final. Both squads have been … [Read more...] about No. 3 Hawks split with No. 1 Dowling in potential substate final preview

ACA boys’ basketball coach Selindh departs after nine successful seasons

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Ankeny Christian Academy has apparently found its next boys' basketball coach. ACA Athletic Director Dave Walter told Ankeny Fanatic on Tuesday that he has hired a replacement for Paul Selindh, who guided the Eagles to a 171-42 record during his tenure as the head coach. "We're just looking for the right time to announce it," Walter said. "It'll … [Read more...] about ACA boys’ basketball coach Selindh departs after nine successful seasons

Jaguars blank Roland-Story, will host rematch against Johnston Wednesday

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The Ankeny Centennial softball team pounded out 16 hits and rolled to a 9-0 victory at Roland-Story in a non-conference game on Tuesday. The fifth-ranked Jaguars, who bounced back from a doubleheader loss at No. 2 Waukee on Monday, improved to 16-7 on the season. Roland-Story dropped to 8-8. Centennial took a 2-0 lead in the first inning, then added … [Read more...] about Jaguars blank Roland-Story, will host rematch against Johnston Wednesday

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Dane Churchman, Ankeny Centennial baseball

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Senior Dane Churchman is a member of the Ankeny Centennial baseball team. He has helped the 10th-ranked Jaguars to an 11-9 record. Churchman has compiled a 3-0 mark on the mound with a 0.94 ERA. He has racked up 18 strikeouts while limiting opposing hitters to a .235 average. "Dane is what we call a grinder," said Centennial coach Mark Hey. "He gets … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Dane Churchman, Ankeny Centennial baseball

Trey bien: Morris, Hansen shine on mound as Centennial splits at Waukee

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Two ranked baseball teams fighting to stay at or above the .500 mark collided on Monday at Waukee. The doubleheader resulted in a split. Ninth-ranked Waukee posted a 2-0 victory in the opener before No. 10 Ankeny Centennial bounced back with a 6-4 win in the nightcap. The Jaguars (11-9) turned in some outstanding pitching performances in both … [Read more...] about Trey bien: Morris, Hansen shine on mound as Centennial splits at Waukee

‘We weren’t quite ready to play’: No. 5 Jaguars get swept by No. 2 Waukee

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For the first time this season, the Ankeny Centennial softball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader on Monday. The fifth-ranked Jaguars were swept at No. 2 Waukee, 4-0 and 13-5. The Warriors (18-2) rebounded after being swept themselves by No. 6 Valley on Thursday. Centennial (15-7) had played nine previous twinbills this season, sweeping six of … [Read more...] about ‘We weren’t quite ready to play’: No. 5 Jaguars get swept by No. 2 Waukee

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kailey Becker, Ankeny softball

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Senior second baseman Kailey Becker has helped the 15th-ranked Ankeny softball team to a 12-8 record. She is batting .279 with one triple, two doubles and 14 RBIs on the season. Becker went 2-for-4 and drove in four runs to lead Ankeny to an 11-8 victory over No. 5 Ankeny Centennial in the first game of a doubleheader on Wednesday. She was 2-for-2 with … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kailey Becker, Ankeny softball

BUBBLE BURSTERS: Hawkettes hold off Urbandale to complete twinbill sweep

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The Ankeny softball team was three outs away from recording back-to-back shutouts in a doubleheader on Thursday at Urbandale. The 15th-ranked Hawkettes took a 6-0 lead into the seventh inning of the nightcap after winning the opener, 10-0, in five innings. Pitcher Ashtyn Billings cruised through the first six innings before running into trouble in the … [Read more...] about BUBBLE BURSTERS: Hawkettes hold off Urbandale to complete twinbill sweep

Fulk fans 8, hits 3 doubles in Hawks’ 12-2 victory over No. 3 Urbandale

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Ankeny's Weston Fulk relied on his left arm to shut down the Urbandale baseball team on Thursday. The junior's bat was pretty productive, too. Fulk racked up eight strikeouts over the first five innings and also went 4-for-4 at the plate with three doubles and three RBIs to lead the fifth-ranked Hawks to a 12-2 victory in six innings in the first game … [Read more...] about Fulk fans 8, hits 3 doubles in Hawks’ 12-2 victory over No. 3 Urbandale