The Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team is enjoying the best season in school history. The Eagles lead the Bluegrass Conference with a 13-0 record and are 20-1 overall, setting a new ACA mark for most wins in a season. The previous record of 19 victories was set in the 2017-18 season. ACA's only loss came in the first game of a doubleheader at … [Read more...] about Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team sets school record for most victories
Archives for June 2021
‘I just smiled from ear to ear’: Brecht named Gatorade Iowa Player of the Year
Ankeny baseball star Brody Brecht woke up on Tuesday to a text message from his head coach, Joe Balvanz. "It said 'Congrats' and I opened it, and it was a link to the Gatorade POY," Brecht said. "I just smiled from ear to ear and was super honored to have been chosen. I thanked God and then got ready for practice." Brecht, a senior pitcher and … [Read more...] about ‘I just smiled from ear to ear’: Brecht named Gatorade Iowa Player of the Year
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Kayla Brummer, Ankeny softball
Senior pitcher Kayla Brummer has helped the Ankeny softball team to a 15-15 record. Brummer has compiled a 1-4 mark with a 2.51 ERA. Opposing batters are hitting .262 against her. "Kayla is a dependable Hawkette and ready to compete when she is called into action," said Ankeny coach Dave Bingham. "She never wavers and is always steady as a rock. We … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Kayla Brummer, Ankeny softball
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 143
Softball stars Ella Schulz of Ankeny Centennial and Marina Carter of Ankeny join baseball standouts Weston Fulk of Ankeny and Jackson Powell of Centennial, along with realtor Tom Butler, as the guests on the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 143
Hawks sweep Centennial again, clinch outright CIML Iowa Conference crown
Even though Brody Brecht didn't take the mound on Monday night, the Ankeny baseball team still had more than enough talented arms to wrap up the CIML Iowa Conference championship. Weston Fulk tossed a one-hitter and had 11 strikeouts as the third-ranked Hawks rolled to a 10-0 victory over visiting Ankeny Centennial in six innings in the first game of a … [Read more...] about Hawks sweep Centennial again, clinch outright CIML Iowa Conference crown
‘It was just a fun battle for 14 innings’: Jags hold off Ankeny twice to earn sweep
Monday's softball doubleheader at Ankeny High School was all about pride. A lot more will be at stake the next time the Hawkettes face crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial. The 10th-ranked Jaguars traveled to the south side and came away with a sweep of the twinbill, 7-6 and 12-9. "I think it definitely gives us momentum coming into the next game in a … [Read more...] about ‘It was just a fun battle for 14 innings’: Jags hold off Ankeny twice to earn sweep
Overturf drives in 6 runs, leads Ankeny to 7-6 victory over No. 5 Iowa City High
The Ankeny softball team was hoping to build some momentum heading into Monday's doubleheader against crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial. The Hawkettes sort of accomplished their goal. Ankeny posted a 7-6 victory over fifth-ranked Iowa City High in the Brent Prange Classic on Friday at Ankeny, but the team's other three games in the two-day tournament … [Read more...] about Overturf drives in 6 runs, leads Ankeny to 7-6 victory over No. 5 Iowa City High
Jaguars fall to No. 1 Pleasant Valley in 9 innings at Prange Classic
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team nearly knocked off the state's No. 1 squad on Saturday. The Jaguars used a six-run first inning to build a 7-3 lead over Pleasant Valley in the Brent Prange Classic at Saydel. But the Spartans scored two runs in the fifth and two more in the seventh to force extra innings. After both teams scored twice in the eighth … [Read more...] about Jaguars fall to No. 1 Pleasant Valley in 9 innings at Prange Classic
Southview 8th grader wins intermediate division at state trap shooting meet
Ethan Skow, an eighth grader at Southview, won the intermediate division at the state trap shooting meet earlier this month. He placed first out of 444 competitors, hitting 194 of 200 targets. "I was so proud of the team for their efforts," said Ankeny coach Larry Brandmeyer. "Many shot personal bests. We had six squads shoot handicap, which is the most … [Read more...] about Southview 8th grader wins intermediate division at state trap shooting meet
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Sam Klug, Ankeny Centennial softball
Senior pitcher Sam Klug has helped the 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team to a 22-7 record. Klug has compiled a 6-4 mark with a 2.56 ERA. She has racked up 81 strikeouts while allowing just 13 walks in 63 innings of work. Here is some inside info on Klug: Congratulations on an outstanding season thus far. What has been the highlight for … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Sam Klug, Ankeny Centennial softball
Hawks roll past Bettendorf, reach double digits in runs for 12th time this season
When the Ankeny baseball team scores 10 or more runs, the Hawks are virtually unbeatable. Fourth-ranked Ankeny pounded out 11 hits and rolled to a 12-4 victory over Bettendorf in the Brent Prange Classic on Saturday at Valley. The game was moved from Ankeny due to rain, which later wiped out another game against Sioux City Heelan. The Hawks (19-6) … [Read more...] about Hawks roll past Bettendorf, reach double digits in runs for 12th time this season
Jaguars top Estherville at Prange Classic, then walk off with win over Urbandale
The Ankeny Centennial softball team won a pair of games in the Brent Prange Classic on Friday at Centennial. The 10th-ranked Jaguars posted an 8-0 victory over Estherville Lincoln Central. They then followed with a 2-1 walk-off win over CIML rival Urbandale. Centennial raised its record to 22-7 on the season. The Jaguars were also slated to play Iowa … [Read more...] about Jaguars top Estherville at Prange Classic, then walk off with win over Urbandale
Ankeny placed in Class 4A Substate 1, while Centennial is in Substate 7
The Class 4A substate baseball assignments have been announced by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. Fourth-ranked Ankeny (18-6) has been placed in Substate 1 along with Des Moines North (0-22), Sioux City East (22-4), Sioux City North (7-21), Sioux City West (10-13) and Valley (12-12). The Hawks, who placed second in Class 4A a year ago, are … [Read more...] about Ankeny placed in Class 4A Substate 1, while Centennial is in Substate 7
‘It’s fun to watch these guys’: Fulk, Brecht lead No. 4 Hawks to another sweep
Brody Brecht has been grabbing most of the headlines this season for the Ankeny baseball team. The rest of the Hawks are pretty good, too. Brecht had another brilliant performance on the mound, Weston Fulk blasted three home runs and fourth-ranked Ankeny rolled to another doubleheader sweep on Wednesday at Fort Dodge. The Hawks posted a 19-8 victory in … [Read more...] about ‘It’s fun to watch these guys’: Fulk, Brecht lead No. 4 Hawks to another sweep
Kyle Miller’s huge night sparks Centennial baseball team to sweep over Bobcats
Ankeny Centennial pitcher Kyle Miller didn't need a lot of run support during the first game of Wednesday's baseball doubleheader against visiting Marshalltown. The sophomore made sure that he had plenty anyway. Miller helped his own cause with a huge game at the plate, going 4-for-4 with five RBIs. All four of his hits went for extra bases--he slugged … [Read more...] about Kyle Miller’s huge night sparks Centennial baseball team to sweep over Bobcats
Centennial girls to host Hawkettes in Class 5A Region 4 semifinal on July 10
Ankeny's crosstown rivals have never met in a postseason softball game. That is about to change. Tenth-ranked Ankeny Centennial (20-7) will host Ankeny (14-13) in a Class 5A Region 4 semifinal on Saturday, July 10. The game begins at 7 p.m. The two teams split a doubleheader at Centennial on June 9. The Jaguars posted a 6-5 victory in the opener … [Read more...] about Centennial girls to host Hawkettes in Class 5A Region 4 semifinal on July 10
Third inning dooms Hawkettes in doubleheader loss at No. 1 Fort Dodge
The third inning proved to be a disaster for the Ankeny softball team on Wednesday. Twice. Top-ranked Fort Dodge used a nine-run third inning to defeat the No. 13 Hawkettes, 14-0, in four innings in the first game of a CIML Iowa Conference doubleheader at Harlan Rogers Park. The host Dodgers then scored six runs in the third inning of the nightcap … [Read more...] about Third inning dooms Hawkettes in doubleheader loss at No. 1 Fort Dodge
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 142
Coach Joe Balvanz and shortstop Jase Bauer of the Ankeny baseball team join Coldwell Banker Mid-America realtor Andy Logan and Ankeny Centennial softball coach Brett Delaney as the guests on the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 142
SENIOR NIGHT SWEEP: Jaguars romp to pair of victories over Marshalltown
Jenna Wendt and Maggie Fisher hurled the Ankeny Centennial softball team to a doubleheader sweep over visiting Marshalltown on Senior Night. Wendt tossed a five-hitter and had eight strikeouts as the 11th-ranked Jaguars rolled to an 11-1 victory in five innings in Wednesday's opener. She raised her record to 3-2. Fisher then scattered seven hits and … [Read more...] about SENIOR NIGHT SWEEP: Jaguars romp to pair of victories over Marshalltown
Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Brody Brecht, Ankeny senior
The MLB amateur draft buzz continues to build around the hard-throwing righthander, who flirted with a no-hitter on Wednesday and finished with 14 strikeouts in a 9-0 victory at Fort Dodge. … [Read more...] about Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Brody Brecht, Ankeny senior