The Ankeny softball team bounced back from a 2-0 loss to North Polk with a 7-0 victory over Ballard at the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational on Friday. Both games reversed the outcome from a contest earlier this season. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes (19-14) avenged a 4-1 loss to Ballard on May 25 at Winterset. Abby Rusher tossed a three-hitter and had 11 … [Read more...] about ‘A lot of kids stepped up’: Hawkettes blank Ballard after falling to No. 1 North Polk
Archives for June 2024
Centennial softball team falls to Indianola, Norwalk at Dallas Center-Grimes Invite
Stepping out of conference play, the Ankeny Centennial softball team faced two opponents on Friday at the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational and suffered a pair of losses. The fourth-ranked Jaguars opened the tournament by dropping an 8-6 decision to Indianola in a seesaw battle. They later fell to Norwalk, 4-1. "We'll be all right," said Centennial … [Read more...] about Centennial softball team falls to Indianola, Norwalk at Dallas Center-Grimes Invite
Jaguars jump out to early lead, but S.E. Polk rallies for 4-3 win on walk-off HBP
The Southeast Polk baseball team overcame an early 3-0 deficit to beat visiting Ankeny Centennial, 4-3, in a CIML Conference game on Thursday. The Rams avenged a doubleheader sweep on June 6 and helped fifth-ranked Johnston move closer to the conference title. No. 4 Centennial dropped to 12-7 in the league and 22-9 overall, while Southeast Polk raised its … [Read more...] about Jaguars jump out to early lead, but S.E. Polk rallies for 4-3 win on walk-off HBP
Hawks rally twice to beat Urbandale on Senior Night, raise their record to 15-21
Jack Clevidence, Henry Ha and Carson Riggs each had two hits on Senior Night to lead the Ankeny baseball team to a 6-5 victory over visiting Urbandale on Thursday. Another senior, Nick Meyer, got the start on the mound and combined with Brady Carter on a six-hitter. "We pulled it out," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. "It wasn't the prettiest of games, … [Read more...] about Hawks rally twice to beat Urbandale on Senior Night, raise their record to 15-21
‘I really wanted to beat them’: Arringdale, Ankeny girls earn split against Jaguars
Ankeny's Kensington Arringdale grew up on the north side of town. That's why she wanted to beat rival Ankeny Centennial so bad. "I went there (to the north feeder schools) from first to ninth grade," said Arringdale, a sophomore shortstop. After earlier hitting a pair of home runs, Arringdale drove in the go-ahead runs with another hit as the … [Read more...] about ‘I really wanted to beat them’: Arringdale, Ankeny girls earn split against Jaguars
Hawks salvage split against Centennial, putting dent in Jaguars’ CIML title hopes
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team needed to sweep its crosstown rival on Wednesday to keep pace in the CIML Conference race. But visiting Ankeny spoiled the Jaguars' plans. The Hawks posted a 7-5 victory in the second game of a doubleheader after fourth-ranked Centennial won the opener by the same score. The win allowed Ankeny to salvage a split of … [Read more...] about Hawks salvage split against Centennial, putting dent in Jaguars’ CIML title hopes
Regional softball pairings announced: Jaguars, Hawkettes both earn No. 1 seeds
The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial softball teams have both earned No. 1 seeds for postseason play. The fourth-ranked Jaguars (24-6) have been placed in Class 5A Region 4. They will host a semifinal game against Marshalltown (10-21) or Iowa City West (2-27) on Saturday, July 13 at 7 p.m. No. 13 Waukee (14-16) will host Dowling Catholic (11-16) in the … [Read more...] about Regional softball pairings announced: Jaguars, Hawkettes both earn No. 1 seeds
Jaguars earn No. 1 seed in Substate 4, while Hawks are No. 4 seed in Substate 2
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team has earned a No. 1 seed for postseason play, while Ankeny has been awarded a No. 4 seed and will have to hit the road. The fourth-ranked Jaguars (22-8) are in Class 4A Substate 4 and will host Marshalltown (4-25) in a quarterfinal game on Friday, July 12 at 7 p.m. With a win, coach Mark Hey's team would receive a bye in … [Read more...] about Jaguars earn No. 1 seed in Substate 4, while Hawks are No. 4 seed in Substate 2
Johnston wins showdown against Oakie, Jaguars to build lead in CIML Conference
The Johnston baseball team just finds a way to win. The two-time defending Class 4A state champions scored five runs in the fifth inning to break a 3-3 tie and went on to beat visiting Ankeny Centennial, 8-5, in a showdown for first place in the CIML Conference on Monday. The fifth-ranked Dragons got just two hits off Centennial ace Joey Oakie, but … [Read more...] about Johnston wins showdown against Oakie, Jaguars to build lead in CIML Conference
Hawks get early homer from Clevidence, but Waukee NW rallies for 8-5 triumph
An early 2-0 lead evaporated quickly for the Ankeny baseball team on Monday as the Hawks dropped an 8-5 decision at ninth-ranked Waukee Northwest. After Ankeny's Jack Clevidence hit a two-run homer in the top of the first inning, Northwest answered with three runs in the second, two in the third and one in the fourth to build a 6-2 advantage. The Wolves … [Read more...] about Hawks get early homer from Clevidence, but Waukee NW rallies for 8-5 triumph
Sandholm, Boyle combine on no-hitter; Ott, Wills hit homers in Jaguars’ victory
The Ankeny Centennial softball team erupted for six runs in the first inning and went on to post a 10-0 victory at Interstate 35 (Truro) in a non-conference game on Monday. Lauren Sandholm (10-3) and Cora Boyle combined on a no-hitter as top-ranked Centennial improved to 23-5 on the season. The Jaguars won for the 14th time in their last 15 … [Read more...] about Sandholm, Boyle combine on no-hitter; Ott, Wills hit homers in Jaguars’ victory
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 265
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm celebrates the life of Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis coach Tami Lewton with Centennial Activities Director Nate Lingren, Centennial girls' tennis coach Alli Gustafson and junior Brayden Wellendorf--who was the Jaguars' No. 1 player this … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 265
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Ava Tomlinson, Ankeny softball
Senior catcher Ava Tomlinson has helped the eighth-ranked Ankeny softball team to a 17-12 record, including a 7-5 mark in the CIML Conference. She is batting .266 with two home runs, five doubles and 16 RBIs. Tomlinson hit a three-run homer on Saturday as the Hawkettes posted a 4-0 victory over North Polk, the No. 1 team in Class 4A. The loss snapped the … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Ava Tomlinson, Ankeny softball
‘It was fun competing against them’: Hawks outlast ACA in crosstown battle
After dropping a 12-4 decision to Sioux City Heelan in the Brent Prange Classic on Saturday, the Ankeny baseball team rebounded with a 4-2 victory over Ankeny Christian Academy in a crosstown battle. Jack Clevidence scored the tying run in the sixth inning and later drove in an insurance run for the Hawks, who improved to 13-19 on the season. He went … [Read more...] about ‘It was fun competing against them’: Hawks outlast ACA in crosstown battle
‘I think we flipped a switch’: Hawkettes end North Polk’s 21-game winning streak
Abby Rusher and the Ankeny softball team took a big step forward on Saturday. Rusher racked up 26 strikeouts across 13 innings as the eighth-ranked Hawkettes posted a pair of victories at Oskaloosa, capped off by a 4-0 win over North Polk. The Comets are the No. 1 team in Class 4A. "This was definitely a key day in our season," said Ankeny coach Dave … [Read more...] about ‘I think we flipped a switch’: Hawkettes end North Polk’s 21-game winning streak
Centennial tops Davenport Assumption, Carlisle at Brent Prange Classic
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team raised its record to 21-6 on the season with a pair of victories in the Brent Prange Classic this weekend. The second-ranked Jaguars opened the tournament on Friday with an 8-4 win over Davenport Assumption, the No. 7 team in Class 3A. They then followed with a 7-2 triumph over Carlisle on Saturday. "We faced two … [Read more...] about Centennial tops Davenport Assumption, Carlisle at Brent Prange Classic
Boyle uses her arm, bat to lead Jaguars past Lincoln for split of doubleheader
Friday's non-conference doubleheader at the Rails Academy & Sports Complex matched a pair of softball teams riding long winning streaks. Host Des Moines Lincoln used a four-run third inning to post a 4-2 victory over top-ranked Ankeny Centennial in the opener. The loss snapped the Jaguars' 12-game winning streak. It was the seventh consecutive win … [Read more...] about Boyle uses her arm, bat to lead Jaguars past Lincoln for split of doubleheader
Hawkettes pound out 15 hits in 12-5 victory before S.E. Polk earns split
The eighth-ranked Ankeny softball team built an 8-0 lead and then held on for a 12-5 victory at No. 11 Southeast Polk in the first game of a CIML Conference doubleheader on Thursday. The Rams then posted a 13-3 win in six innings in the nightcap to earn a split of the twinbill. They improved to 5-7 in the league and 17-14 overall, while Ankeny's records … [Read more...] about Hawkettes pound out 15 hits in 12-5 victory before S.E. Polk earns split
Hawks rally for 9-8 victory in 8 innings, salvage twinbill split at No. 10 S.E. Polk
The Ankeny baseball team salvaged a split of Thursday's doubleheader at 10th-ranked Southeast Polk to remain a half-game behind the Rams in the CIML Conference standings. After Southeast Polk posted a 4-2 win in the opener, the Hawks rallied for a 9-8 victory in eight innings in the nightcap. It was their third triumph in four extra-inning games this … [Read more...] about Hawks rally for 9-8 victory in 8 innings, salvage twinbill split at No. 10 S.E. Polk
Stewart remains unbeaten, helps Jaguars earn split at No. 7 Iowa City Liberty
After being held scoreless for only the second time this season, the second-ranked Ankeny Centennial baseball team bounced back with a 7-2 victory in the second game of Thursday's non-conference doubleheader at No. 7 Iowa City Liberty. The Lightning (19-9) weathered a rain delay in the third inning to post a 4-0 win in the opener. Centennial (19-6) was … [Read more...] about Stewart remains unbeaten, helps Jaguars earn split at No. 7 Iowa City Liberty