Ankeny Fanatic

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Archives for July 2021

Hawks’ talented senior class bows out with another loss to longtime nemesis

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One of the best three-year runs in the history of the Ankeny baseball program has come to an end. And for the third straight year, the Hawks' season ended with a loss to CIML rival Johnston. Jake Pemble tossed a four-hitter and had 12 strikeouts to lead the third-ranked Dragons to a 5-0 victory over No. 2 Ankeny in the Class 4A semifinals on Friday at … [Read more...] about Hawks’ talented senior class bows out with another loss to longtime nemesis

Pemble, Dragons snap Ankeny’s 19-game winning streak in Class 4A semifinals

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The Ankeny baseball team's potent lineup put fear into opposing pitchers all season long. On Friday night, however, the Hawks simply didn't have an answer for Johnston lefthander Jake Pemble. Pemble tossed a four-hitter and had 12 strikeouts to lead the third-ranked Dragons to a 5-0 victory over No. 2 Ankeny in the Class 4A semifinals at Duane Banks … [Read more...] about Pemble, Dragons snap Ankeny’s 19-game winning streak in Class 4A semifinals

Ankeny’s Carter, Centennial’s Schulz named to Class 5A all-state first team

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Softball standouts Marina Carter of Ankeny and Ella Schulz of Ankeny Centennial have earned all-state honors for the second straight year from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Both Carter and Schulz, who will be teammates next year at Minnesota State, were selected to the Class 5A first team. They were second-team picks a year ago. Schulz, a senior … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Carter, Centennial’s Schulz named to Class 5A all-state first team

Hawks survive and advance, capitalize on error to edge Waukee, Wentworth

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An unearned run proved to be the difference on Thursday for the Ankeny baseball team. Cael Boyd hit an RBI single in the fourth inning following a Waukee error to give the second-ranked Hawks a 2-1 victory in the Class 4A quarterfinals at Duane Banks Field in Iowa City. "I was very confident in our pitching to go out and hold them (the rest of the … [Read more...] about Hawks survive and advance, capitalize on error to edge Waukee, Wentworth

Hawks hold off Waukee, earn rematch against Johnston in Class 4A semifinals

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The Ankeny baseball team will get another shot at CIML rival Johnston. The second-ranked Hawks held on for a 2-1 victory over No. 9 Waukee in the Class 4A quarterfinals on Thursday at Duane Banks Field in Iowa City. They will meet No. 3 Johnston in the state tournament for the third consecutive year in Friday's semifinals at 7:30 p.m. The Dragons … [Read more...] about Hawks hold off Waukee, earn rematch against Johnston in Class 4A semifinals

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Jenna Wendt, Ankeny Centennial softball

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Senior pitcher Jenna Wendt helped the Ankeny Centennial softball team to a 33-10 record and a second-place finish in Class 5A this season. Wendt posted a 6-2 mark with a 4.24 ERA. She also batted .302 with one home run, three doubles and 18 RBIs. Wendt, who will play for Northwestern College next year, played a key role in the Jaguars' 8-1 victory … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Jenna Wendt, Ankeny Centennial softball

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Weston Fulk, Ankeny baseball

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Senior pitcher and first baseman Weston Fulk has helped lead the second-ranked Ankeny baseball team to a 31-6 record. The Hawks will take an 18-game winning streak into Thursday's Class 4A quarterfinal against No. 7 Waukee (26-15) at Duane Banks Field in Iowa City. Fulk is batting .500 on the season and leads the state with 129 total bases. He is tied for … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Weston Fulk, Ankeny baseball

‘We still got second, and that’s good’: Jaguars settle for runner-up trophy

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Anna Christiansen vowed that the Ankeny Centennial softball team would be back to Harlan Rogers Park. "I'm extremely proud of this team, and these underclassmen are going to take this program places," Christiansen said after Friday night's Class 5A championship game at Fort Dodge. "This program is unlike any other in the state, and I'm extremely confident … [Read more...] about ‘We still got second, and that’s good’: Jaguars settle for runner-up trophy

‘Tonight just wasn’t our night’: Jaguars fall to Fort Dodge, Adams in 5A title game

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The clock struck midnight on Ankeny Centennial's Cinderella run through the state softball tournament. After knocking off two higher-ranked opponents earlier in the week, the 10th-ranked Jaguars dropped a 2-0 decision to No. 2 Fort Dodge in the Class 5A championship game on Friday night at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. Jalen Adams tossed a … [Read more...] about ‘Tonight just wasn’t our night’: Jaguars fall to Fort Dodge, Adams in 5A title game

Ex-Centennial star Cowan signs free agent deal with Cincinnati Reds

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Former Ankeny Centennial pitcher Cam Cowan has always wanted to play professional baseball. His dream became a lot closer to reality earlier this week. The Campbell University righthander signed a free agent deal with the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday. "I couldn't have done it without the help of all the people around me," said Cowan. "I'm very … [Read more...] about Ex-Centennial star Cowan signs free agent deal with Cincinnati Reds

‘We want that championship’: Jaguars advance to Class 5A final for first time

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The Ankeny Centennial softball players got the rematch they wanted. The 10th-ranked Jaguars advanced to the Class 5A championship game with an 8-1 victory over No. 5 Pleasant Valley in the semifinals on Wednesday at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. Centennial (33-9) will play No. 2 Fort Dodge (37-4) for the title on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Jaguars … [Read more...] about ‘We want that championship’: Jaguars advance to Class 5A final for first time

‘It feels awesome’: Brecht, Hawks are headed to Iowa City for 4A tournament

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It took the Ankeny baseball team a few innings to figure out Valley pitcher Oliver Parizek on Wednesday night. But once the Hawks did, they cruised to another state tournament berth. Brody Brecht tossed a three-hitter and had 14 strikeouts as second-ranked Ankeny posted a 3-1 victory over the visiting Tigers in a Class 4A substate final. "It feels … [Read more...] about ‘It feels awesome’: Brecht, Hawks are headed to Iowa City for 4A tournament

Hawks advance to state baseball tournament for third consecutive year

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The Ankeny baseball team is headed to the Class 4A state tournament for the third consecutive year. Brody Brecht tossed a three-hitter and had 14 strikeouts, Colin Riggs hit a huge two-run double, and the second-ranked Hawks posted a 3-1 victory over visiting Valley in a Class 4A substate final on Wednesday. The Tigers finished the season with a 19-20 … [Read more...] about Hawks advance to state baseball tournament for third consecutive year

Jaguars rally past Pleasant Valley, will play Fort Dodge for Class 5A crown

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Ankeny Centennial first baseman Lizzy Klunder was in the right spot at the right time to get a souvenir from the state softball tournament on Wednesday. Klunder caught a pop fly for the final out of the game as the 10th-ranked Jaguars defeated No. 5 Pleasant Valley, 8-1, in the Class 5A semifinals at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. "I was running … [Read more...] about Jaguars rally past Pleasant Valley, will play Fort Dodge for Class 5A crown

‘We love being here’: Jaguars top City High, earn return trip to 5A semifinals

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A victory on Tuesday guaranteed that the seniors on the Ankeny Centennial softball team would get to play two more games together. The 10th-ranked Jaguars avoided playing in a meaningless consolation game on Wednesday by posting a 2-0 win over No. 6 Iowa City High in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state tournament at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort … [Read more...] about ‘We love being here’: Jaguars top City High, earn return trip to 5A semifinals

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Praze Buchan, Ankeny softball

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Sophomore Praze Buchan is a member of the Ankeny softball team. She helped the Hawkettes to a 21-17 record this season. Buchan played in 19 games and started six times. She batted .457 with three doubles and 10 RBIs. "Praze is a consistent, reliable presence at the plate," said Ankeny coach Dave Bingham. "She came in clutch for us several times late in … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Praze Buchan, Ankeny softball

‘Special KKKKKKKKK’ delivers again: Klug pitches Jaguars past Iowa City High

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Sam Klug tossed a three-hitter and had nine strikeouts to lead the 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team to a 2-0 victory over No. 6 Iowa City High in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state tournament on Tuesday at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. Klug (11-5) retired the last 11 batters that she faced as Centennial (32-9) advanced to the … [Read more...] about ‘Special KKKKKKKKK’ delivers again: Klug pitches Jaguars past Iowa City High

Klug, Schulz, Carter, Overturf named to Class 5A West all-district team

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Two Ankeny Centennial softball stars have been named to the all-district team along with a pair of standouts from Ankeny. Senior pitcher Sam Klug and senior catcher Ella Schulz of Centennial were both selected to the Class 5A West squad by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. They were joined on the all-district team by senior shortstop Marina Carter and … [Read more...] about Klug, Schulz, Carter, Overturf named to Class 5A West all-district team