Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Archives for July 2022

WALK-OFF MAGIC!: Churchman’s 2-run single advances Jaguars to substate final

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The Ankeny Centennial baseball team finally solved Mason City pitcher Carter Thomas. Damin Churchman hit a two-run single with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the fifth-ranked Jaguars a thrilling 2-1 victory over visiting Mason City in a Class 4A substate semifinal on Monday. "My approach was just to shorten up my swing and just try … [Read more...] about WALK-OFF MAGIC!: Churchman’s 2-run single advances Jaguars to substate final

Indianola’s fast start proves to be too much for Hawks to overcome in 8-5 loss

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A rough start resulted in a season-ending loss for the Ankeny baseball team on Monday. Visiting Indianola jumped out to a 7-4 lead in the first two innings and went on to defeat the Hawks, 8-5, in a Class 4A substate semifinal. The Indians (25-12) advanced to Wednesday's substate final at 10th-ranked Urbandale (25-14). "They competed all night, and I … [Read more...] about Indianola’s fast start proves to be too much for Hawks to overcome in 8-5 loss

‘We just couldn’t push that tying run across’: Eagles fall to Ogden in 8 innings

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Ankeny Christian Academy's dream season on the baseball diamond came to an end on Saturday. But the memories of an historic campaign will not be soon forgotten. The ninth-ranked Eagles lost to Ogden, 3-2, in eight innings in a Class 1A district final at Urbandale. They finished the best season in school history with a 26-2 record. "That was one … [Read more...] about ‘We just couldn’t push that tying run across’: Eagles fall to Ogden in 8 innings

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Lauren Solis, Ankeny Centennial softball

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Senior shortstop Lauren Solis has helped the fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team to a 25-12 record. She is batting .333 with four doubles and 20 RBIs. The Jaguars posted a 4-3 victory over visiting Waterloo West in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday. Solis watched the game from the dugout due to a season-ending injury that she suffered … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Lauren Solis, Ankeny Centennial softball

Survive and advance: Jaguars hold off Waterloo West, will host Linn-Mar next

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Survive and advance. That's all that matters in postseason play. The Ankeny Centennial softball team got a tougher-than-expected battle from visiting Waterloo West in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday, but the fifth-ranked Jaguars held on for a 4-3 victory. "Postseason time brings out the best in everybody," said Centennial coach Brett … [Read more...] about Survive and advance: Jaguars hold off Waterloo West, will host Linn-Mar next

Hawkettes rout C.R. Kennedy behind timely hitting, Rusher’s strong effort

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The Ankeny softball team didn't need a lot of help from its opponent on Saturday. The 11th-ranked Hawkettes got some anyway. Ankeny pounded out nine hits and took advantage of six errors by visiting Cedar Rapids Kennedy to defeat the Cougars, 13-2, in five innings in a Class 5A regional semifinal. "It was awesome," said Ankeny outfielder Eva Fulk, … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rout C.R. Kennedy behind timely hitting, Rusher’s strong effort

Hawks roll past East in substate opener, will host Indianola on Monday

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Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz wanted his team to get off to a fast start. The Hawks did exactly that and then some. Ankeny scored six runs in the first inning, three more in the second and went on to defeat visiting Des Moines East, 13-3, in five innings in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Friday. "Those early runs took the pressure off," … [Read more...] about Hawks roll past East in substate opener, will host Indianola on Monday

OAKKKKKKKKKKKKKKIE!: Sophomore tosses 1-hitter, fans 14 in Jaguars’ win

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Ankeny Centennial pitcher Joey Oakie put on a dazzling display Friday. The sophomore righthander tossed a one-hitter and struck out 14 of the 15 batters that he retired as the fifth-ranked Jaguars opened the baseball postseason with a 10-0 victory over visiting Fort Dodge in five innings in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal. "Props to my catcher for … [Read more...] about OAKKKKKKKKKKKKKKIE!: Sophomore tosses 1-hitter, fans 14 in Jaguars’ win

Ankeny star Gibson named to United Soccer Coaches All-North Region team

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During the season, senior Eden Gibson was the leader of a defensive unit that resembled a brick wall, allowing just two goals during the entire girls' soccer campaign. Now, the Ankeny standout has been rewarded for her efforts. Gibson has been named to the 2022 United Soccer Coaches All-North Region team. She was joined on the squad by senior defender … [Read more...] about Ankeny star Gibson named to United Soccer Coaches All-North Region team

Hawks close out regular season with 3-2 loss at Dallas Center-Grimes

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The Ankeny baseball team could afford a loss on Wednesday. That won't be the case on Friday. The Hawks closed out the regular season with a 3-2 loss at Dallas Center-Grimes in a non-conference game. Their overall record dropped to 22-13. The Mustangs improved to 21-14 with their sixth straight victory. "We need to play better," said Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about Hawks close out regular season with 3-2 loss at Dallas Center-Grimes

Kovacs named United Soccer Coaches High School All-American

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Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer standout Courtney Kovacs has joined an exclusive club. The senior defender has been named a 2022 United Soccer Coaches High School Girls Winter-Spring All-American. She becomes only the third player under Centennial coach Chris Allen to earn All-American honors, joining Meg Brandt (2016) and Olivia Brown … [Read more...] about Kovacs named United Soccer Coaches High School All-American

Eagles survive shaky start, approaching storm to knock off Madrid in district play

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With dark clouds looming overhead, gusty winds started blowing across the Urbandale Little League baseball fields on Tuesday night. Ankeny Christian Academy pitcher Eli Christensen stood on the mound during the seventh inning of a Class 1A district semifinal against Madrid, wondering if the approaching storm would soon wreak some havoc. As Christensen … [Read more...] about Eagles survive shaky start, approaching storm to knock off Madrid in district play

Christensen shines at plate, on mound in Eagles’ victory in district opener

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Ankeny Christian Academy's Eli Christensen struck out in his first at-bat of the high school baseball postseason. The sophomore more than made up for it later. Christensen hit a pair of two-run triples and also pitched a brilliant inning in relief to lead the ninth-ranked Eagles to a 9-3 victory over Baxter in a Class 1A district quarterfinal on … [Read more...] about Christensen shines at plate, on mound in Eagles’ victory in district opener

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Malachi Johnson, ACA baseball

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Senior Malachi Johnson has led the ninth-ranked Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team to a 25-1 record. He is the state's third-leading hitter with a .568 average. Johnson has one home run, six triples and 10 doubles among his 42 hits. He has struck out just two times while knocking in 21 runs. On the mound, Johnson has compiled a 9-0 mark with a 0.96 … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Malachi Johnson, ACA baseball

IAN THROWS A McGEM: Senior’s no-no allows Jaguars to split with S.C. North

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Ankeny Centennial pitcher Ian McGhiey got a lot of offensive support during the second game of Saturday's non-conference baseball doubleheader against visiting Sioux City North. He didn't really need it. McGhiey tossed a no-hitter and the Jaguars routed North, 17-0, in four innings to salvage a split of the twinbill. The Stars won the opener, … [Read more...] about IAN THROWS A McGEM: Senior’s no-no allows Jaguars to split with S.C. North

Hawkettes rally for road win at North Polk, finish regular season at 26-12

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The Ankeny softball team got a much-needed victory in its regular-season finale on Saturday. The Hawkettes snapped a four-game losing skid with a 5-3 victory at North Polk in a non-conference game. They improved their record to 26-12. North Polk (15-14) scored two runs in the fifth inning to break a 1-1 tie. Ankeny then rallied for three runs in the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rally for road win at North Polk, finish regular season at 26-12

Patton homers against his former team, but Roosevelt rallies for 9-3 victory

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Ankeny's Jamison Patton hit a go-ahead two-run homer on Friday against his former teammates on the Des Moines Roosevelt baseball team. Unfortunately, the Hawks couldn't hold on to the lead in the non-conference game. The Roughriders scored a run in the fourth inning to pull within 3-2, then erupted for seven more in the seventh to post a 9-3 victory. … [Read more...] about Patton homers against his former team, but Roosevelt rallies for 9-3 victory

‘They care so much about the players’: Compton verbally commits to St. Cloud

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Junior forward Cady Compton is part of a big family on the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team. She found a similar vibe with the St. Cloud State women's program. That's why Compton has verbally committed to play soccer for the Huskies, beginning in the fall of 2023. "I think the thing that stands out to me most about St. Cloud is the relationships … [Read more...] about ‘They care so much about the players’: Compton verbally commits to St. Cloud