Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Archives for July 2023

State softball preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals

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The state softball tournament gets under way on Monday at Fort Dodge, and the Class 5A field boasts five teams from the CIML Conference--including top-ranked Ankeny Centennial and No. 2 Ankeny. Three squads from eastern Iowa will try to pull off an upset in Monday's quarterfinals. The other quarterfinal will be an all-CIML matchup between No. 4 Southeast … [Read more...] about State softball preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals

Grand View’s Miller transfers to UNI after placing 9th in javelin at NAIA nationals

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Former Ankeny thrower Justice Miller has decided to join the Northern Iowa men's track and field program. Justice will transfer from Grand View University, where he spent the first two seasons of his college career. "(Grand View) was some of the best times (of my life), and I really do love the team," Miller said. "But it was a mixture of wanting to be … [Read more...] about Grand View’s Miller transfers to UNI after placing 9th in javelin at NAIA nationals

‘We had some chances early’: Jaguars strand 8 runners in stunning loss to Ames

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Ankeny Centennial's magical season on the baseball diamond came to an end one week earlier than most people expected. The top-ranked Jaguars went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left eight runners on base in a stunning 5-1 loss to visiting Ames in a Class 4A substate final on Wednesday. "We had some chances early that we didn't capitalize … [Read more...] about ‘We had some chances early’: Jaguars strand 8 runners in stunning loss to Ames

‘It was a special night for Dowling’: Marso, Maroons top Ankeny in substate final

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Due to heavy rains overnight, the Dowling Catholic baseball team lost its home-field advantage against Ankeny in a Class 4A substate final on Wednesday. The game was moved to a neutral site at Simpson College in Indianola, but the Maroons felt right at home on the infield turf. Seventh-ranked Dowling got a masterful pitching performance from Kaden … [Read more...] about ‘It was a special night for Dowling’: Marso, Maroons top Ankeny in substate final

Jaguars tie school record for victories, head to 5A state tourney as No. 1 seed

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The Ankeny Centennial softball team is headed back to Fort Dodge for the third time in four years. The top-ranked Jaguars advanced to the Class 5A state tournament with a 10-1 victory over visiting Ames in a regional final on Tuesday. The win allowed Centennial (33-5) to tie the school record for most victories in a season. "I'm very excited for this … [Read more...] about Jaguars tie school record for victories, head to 5A state tourney as No. 1 seed

‘It’s our time right now’: Ankeny holds off Waukee, earns first trip to state since ’15

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The drought is finally over for the Ankeny softball team. The second-ranked Hawkettes held on for a 4-3 victory over No. 14 Waukee in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday, allowing them to qualify for state for the first time since 2015. "It feels great," said Ankeny shortstop Kendra Lewis. "I love this team so much. It's a great opportunity for us and … [Read more...] about ‘It’s our time right now’: Ankeny holds off Waukee, earns first trip to state since ’15

DOUBLE TROUBLE: Griess, Sandvig lead Hawks to substate rout over Ottumwa

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It didn't take long for Alex Griess and Ben Sandvig to set the tone Monday for the Ankeny baseball team. Griess quickly retired the first three batters of the game, Sandvig then hit the first of his three doubles to ignite a seven-run outburst in the bottom of the first, and the Hawks went on to beat visiting Ottumwa, 13-0, in five innings in a Class 4A … [Read more...] about DOUBLE TROUBLE: Griess, Sandvig lead Hawks to substate rout over Ottumwa

‘We stood toe-to-toe with them’: Eagles fall in district final at No. 4 Lynnville-Sully

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For the second straight year, Ankeny Christian Academy's baseball season ended with a loss in a Class 1A district final. The Eagles dropped a 4-2 decision on Saturday at fourth-ranked Lynnville-Sully, which defeated ACA for the second time this season. The Hawks won the first matchup, 7-2, on May 27. "I was really proud of the way the boys battled," … [Read more...] about ‘We stood toe-to-toe with them’: Eagles fall in district final at No. 4 Lynnville-Sully

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Brock Adamson, Ankeny baseball

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Senior Brock Adamson tossed a four-hitter and had five strikeouts to lead the Ankeny baseball team to a 3-1 victory over visiting Norwalk in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Friday. He allowed just one unearned run, lowering his ERA to 2.37, as the Hawks improved to 20-19 on the season. Adamson, an Ellsworth Community College recruit, has compiled an … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Brock Adamson, Ankeny baseball

Johnson hits slam in 10-0 win over Cedar Falls; Hawkettes close in on state berth

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Ankeny softball coach Dave Bingham doesn't want his summer vacation to begin anytime soon. "I'm enjoying coaching these kids, and I hope I get four more (games)," Bingham said. The second-ranked Hawkettes opened postseason play on Saturday with a 10-0 victory over visiting Cedar Falls in five innings in a Class 5A regional semifinal. The Tigers … [Read more...] about Johnson hits slam in 10-0 win over Cedar Falls; Hawkettes close in on state berth

‘This was good redemption’: Starr’s first career homer punctuates Jaguars’ win

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Ankeny Centennial's Addi Starr didn't see the ball go over the fence. But she heard the reaction from her teammates. Starr hit the first home run of her high school softball career to punctuate the top-ranked Jaguars' 7-2 victory over visiting Des Moines East in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday. "I was just running hard up until second … [Read more...] about ‘This was good redemption’: Starr’s first career homer punctuates Jaguars’ win

Jaguars erupt for 22 runs, toss combined no-hitter in substate win over North

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The first game of the postseason can sometimes be the most stressful one. That won't be the case for the Ankeny Centennial baseball team. The top-ranked Jaguars pounded out 15 hits and rolled to a 22-0 victory over visiting Des Moines North in four innings in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Friday. "The guys are certainly very focused this time … [Read more...] about Jaguars erupt for 22 runs, toss combined no-hitter in substate win over North

Hawks oust Norwalk behind Adamson’s four-hitter, will host Ottumwa Monday

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On three occasions during the regular season, the Ankeny baseball team got a win from senior lefthander Brock Adamson to bounce back from a loss. Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz handed the ball to Adamson on Friday after the Hawks closed out the regular season with back-to-back losses earlier this week. Adamson responded with another gem, tossing a … [Read more...] about Hawks oust Norwalk behind Adamson’s four-hitter, will host Ottumwa Monday

‘I think we’ve got a shot’: Eagles move two wins away from trip to state tourney

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The Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team hasn't achieved the same kind of success that the Eagles did last season, when they finished with a 26-2 record. But that doesn't mean ACA can't qualify for the Class 1A state tournament. The Eagles moved two wins away from accomplishing that goal by defeating Grand View Christian, 5-2, in a district semifinal … [Read more...] about ‘I think we’ve got a shot’: Eagles move two wins away from trip to state tourney

Jaguars end slide with win over Riders, break school record with 29th victory

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The Ankeny Centennial baseball team needed a win on Wednesday for a couple of reasons. After losing back-to-back games for the first time this season, the top-ranked Jaguars needed to gain some momentum heading into postseason play. Coach Mark Hey's team also needed a win to set the school record for most victories in a season. The Jaguars responded … [Read more...] about Jaguars end slide with win over Riders, break school record with 29th victory

Hawks close out regular season with 6-3 loss to No. 8 Dallas Center-Grimes

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After closing out the regular season on Wednesday against the champions of the Little Hawkeye Conference, the Ankeny baseball team will now prepare for another opponent from the eight-team league. The Hawks, who dropped a 6-3 decision to eighth-ranked Dallas Center-Grimes on their home field, will host Norwalk in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Friday … [Read more...] about Hawks close out regular season with 6-3 loss to No. 8 Dallas Center-Grimes

Loss at Waukee NW forces Jaguars to share conference crown with Johnston

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With the start of postseason play later this week, the Ankeny Centennial baseball team is still trying to rediscover its mojo. The top-ranked Jaguars dropped a 6-3 decision at Waukee Northwest in their CIML Conference finale on Monday. The loss, coupled with No. 3 Johnston's 7-3 victory at No. 5 Southeast Polk, allowed the Dragons to tie Centennial for … [Read more...] about Loss at Waukee NW forces Jaguars to share conference crown with Johnston