Senior infielder Carson Riggs has helped the Ankeny baseball team to a 10-16 record. He is batting .290 with three doubles and 14 RBIs for the Hawks, who will travel to Johnston on Monday for a CIML Conference doubleheader against the fourth-ranked Dragons.
Riggs is headed to Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville to play for the Lakers in the fall.
Here is some inside info on Riggs:
How is the season going thus far?
Our season wasn’t off to the start we dreamed of, but we’ve hung with almost every team we played and have been coming up short. With the back half of the season coming up, we’re looking to turn it around–knowing what needs fixing.
What has been the highlight for you?
The best part of our season for sure has been our defense. We’ve turned 14 or 15 double plays this year, and (shortstop) Kinnick (Vos) and I have a lot of chemistry up the middle to help that happen.
I know your team has had an up-and-down season, but you’ve had some close losses to a few of the state’s top teams–including top-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy and No. 2 Ankeny Centennial. Do you feel like this team is close to turning the corner?
We’ve been so close to being so good, and I think we’re right there. Our road sweep against a good Dowling (Catholic) team (on Wednesday) gave us some momentum that we carried into the Thursday (win) against (fifth-ranked) Waukee.
What do you think will be the key for this team to reach its potential in the postseason, and do you think this team could surprise some people in substate play?
Our offense needs to get rolling and stay consistent throughout the whole game. We also need to be better at getting off the field with two outs. So many runs come on rallies, and it’s hard for our offense to come back from that. We can definitely surprise some teams because a lot can happen in 20 games. (Coach Joe) Balvanz always says that we’re not out of the fight until we’re out of outs, and with that mentality we can make a run and be a problem in the postseason.
Your team still has a doubleheader left to play at Centennial on June 26, which will give you a chance to avenge a 4-3 loss to the Jaguars on June 5. It’s possible that your team could also be placed in the same substate bracket with Centennial. Would you like to get another shot at your crosstown rival in the postseason?
Yeah, we’re really looking forward to coming back against those guys. They’re a good team, and we were hanging with them through five innings. I think we have a chance against every team. We just have to prepare the right way mentally and physically, and we’re there.
You have committed to play for Iowa Lakes. What did you like about the school?
Yeah, I’m super excited. Some of my boys from Saydel are going there with me so it was a good way to influence my decision.
Did you look at some other schools, and was it a tough decision?
I had looks from Bethany Lutheran and Concordia in Nebraska, but the community at Iowa Lakes felt like home there.
Your brother, Colin, was a three-sport athlete at Ankeny who originally went to St. Ambrose University to play football, but I understand he is now a member of the men’s golf team. How does he like it there, and what led to him switching sports?
Colin has been a huge inspiration and role model in my life and has always been the dude that’s just kind of good at everything he does. He was just kind of a weekend golfer and realized that he’s pretty good at it. It was tough for him to end football and baseball, but now he’s on the team and he’s having a blast playing college golf.
Did he give you any advice when you were thinking about your future plans?
He had told me not to just go somewhere for ball, and that’s it. He wanted me to make sure that I liked the feel, and they had what I needed for my future.
What are you planning to study in college?
I’m going to study criminal justice at Lakes.
