Ankeny Fanatic

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Archives for July 2025

Jaguars romp past Valley in 5 innings, earn shot to take down No. 1 Waukee NW

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After missing last year's Class 5A state tournament, Ankeny Centennial's juggernaut of a softball team has returned to Harlan Rogers Park. The fourth-ranked Jaguars--who outscored their three opponents by a 29-2 margin to win the crown in 2023--opened this year's tournament on Monday with a 9-0 win over No. 5 Valley in five innings in a Class 5A … [Read more...] about Jaguars romp past Valley in 5 innings, earn shot to take down No. 1 Waukee NW

Centennial star Kennedy named to 5A West all-district team for 3rd straight year

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Ankeny Centennial softball standout Jordyn Kennedy has been named to the Class 5A West all-district team for the third consecutive year by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Kennedy was among five players from Ankeny to earn all-district honors. Fellow Centennial junior Mady Ott was a repeat pick to the all-district team, while Ankeny Christian Academy … [Read more...] about Centennial star Kennedy named to 5A West all-district team for 3rd straight year

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Landon Curtis, Ankeny Christian baseball

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Junior pitcher and infielder Landon Curtis helped the Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team to a 15-11 record. The Eagles closed out their season on Tuesday with a 6-2 loss to defending state champion Lynnville-Sully in a Class 1A substate final at Newton. Curtis batted .365 with eight doubles and 17 RBIs. On the mound, he compiled a 4-1 mark with a 2.47 … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Landon Curtis, Ankeny Christian baseball

‘I see it being a really good fit’: Ankeny star Aguirre commits to play for Sioux Falls

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Ankeny basketball star Rio Aguirre has verbally committed to play for the University of Sioux Falls. Aguirre, a guard, will join the Cougars' program in the fall of 2026. "I had been on a few other visits, but I don’t think this was a tough decision for me at all," said Aguirre. "(Assistant) coach (Drew) Guebert and (head) coach (Chris) Johnson really … [Read more...] about ‘I see it being a really good fit’: Ankeny star Aguirre commits to play for Sioux Falls

Jaguars rout C.R. Kennedy to advance to state, will play Valley for 4th time Monday

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This time, there was no slow start by the Ankeny Centennial softball team. Three days after the fourth-ranked Jaguars were forced to overcome a six-run deficit to beat Urbandale in their postseason opener, they never trailed in Tuesday's Class 5A regional final at Centennial. Coach Brett Delaney's team got a two-run homer from Mady Ott in the bottom of … [Read more...] about Jaguars rout C.R. Kennedy to advance to state, will play Valley for 4th time Monday

Defending state champ Lynnville-Sully ends Eagles’ season for 3rd straight year

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team feels like it's on the cusp of making its first Class 1A state tournament in program history. But the Lynnville-Sully Hawks continue to be the major roadblock that the Eagles have yet to break through. ACA had its season ended with a close game in substate play against the Hawks … [Read more...] about Defending state champ Lynnville-Sully ends Eagles’ season for 3rd straight year

‘I’m always proud of this team’: Hawkettes drop nailbiter at S.E. Polk in regional final

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After playing her final game in an Ankeny softball uniform, senior Aubrey Lensmeyer hugged her coaches before walking off the field at Southeast Polk. Her high school career had come to an end just a few minutes earlier with a 3-2 loss in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday. "I'm always proud of this team," said Lensmeyer. "It's been an up-and-down … [Read more...] about ‘I’m always proud of this team’: Hawkettes drop nailbiter at S.E. Polk in regional final

SUBSTATE SHOCKER: Linn-Mar cruises to 16-1 victory over No. 9 Jaguars in 6 innings

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) When it comes to postseason baseball, all it takes is one team to get hot at the right moment to end another squad’s season. Ninth-ranked Ankeny Centennial was hoping that it could reach a Class 4A substate final at No. 6 Iowa City Liberty and potentially advance to the state tournament for the first time in program … [Read more...] about SUBSTATE SHOCKER: Linn-Mar cruises to 16-1 victory over No. 9 Jaguars in 6 innings

‘You tip your cap to her’: Newman pitcher Kruckenberg shuts down Eagles, 2-0

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The Ankeny Christian Academy softball team entered Monday's game at Mason City Newman having scored a total of 220 runs in the previous 19 contests. But the Eagles hadn't seen a pitcher like Newman righthander Sami Kruckenberg. The hard-throwing junior tossed a two-hitter and had 12 strikeouts to lead the ninth-ranked Knights to a 2-0 victory over No. … [Read more...] about ‘You tip your cap to her’: Newman pitcher Kruckenberg shuts down Eagles, 2-0

Jaguars overcome 6-0 deficit to beat Urbandale for 4th time, keep season alive

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Ankeny Centennial softball team had played Urbandale three times before Saturday’s Class 5A regional semifinal, and each time the Jaguars cruised to an easy victory. But when it comes to postseason play, you never know what can happen. Visiting Urbandale threatened to put the fourth-ranked and top-seeded Jaguars on … [Read more...] about Jaguars overcome 6-0 deficit to beat Urbandale for 4th time, keep season alive

Jaguars romp past Marshalltown in 6 innings, will host Linn-Mar on Monday

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) After three innings, the Ankeny Centennial baseball team found itself clinging to a one-run lead over visiting Marshalltown on Saturday. Then the Jaguars slammed the door shut. Ninth-ranked Centennial piled on nine runs in the next three innings to bring the Class 4A substate quarterfinal to an early end with an 11-1 … [Read more...] about Jaguars romp past Marshalltown in 6 innings, will host Linn-Mar on Monday

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kaylyn Miller, Ankeny softball

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Senior third baseman Kaylyn Miller helped the Ankeny softball team to a 5-1 victory at ninth-ranked Ames in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday. The Hawkettes (13-26) will play at No. 3 Southeast Polk (30-10) in the regional final on Tuesday. Miller is batting .232 on the season with seven doubles and 17 RBIs. In the pitcher's circle, she has … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kaylyn Miller, Ankeny softball

‘I’m not surprised at all’: Confident Ankeny girls stun No. 9 Ames in regional semifinal

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Aubrey Lensmeyer and her Ankeny softball teammates were confident going into Saturday's game at Ames--even though the contest looked like a mismatch on paper. "We were the underdogs going into it, but I'm not surprised (by the result)," said Lensmeyer. 'If this team plays our game, we can win and beat anyone." Lensmeyer tossed a six-hitter and also had … [Read more...] about ‘I’m not surprised at all’: Confident Ankeny girls stun No. 9 Ames in regional semifinal

‘We fought the whole game’: Hawks end season with 8-4 loss at No. 7 Indianola

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The Ankeny baseball team was hoping to pull off some surprises in postseason play. A young and talented Indianola squad didn't let it happen. The seventh-ranked Indians ended Ankeny's season with an 8-4 victory in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Saturday at Indianola. The Hawks finished with a 14-25 record. "Like all year, they never gave up," … [Read more...] about ‘We fought the whole game’: Hawks end season with 8-4 loss at No. 7 Indianola

‘Landon was incredible’: Eagles advance to substate final behind Curtis’ 1-hitter

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Ankeny Christian Academy's Landon Curtis promised that he would be better on the mound than his previous outing. The junior righthander delivered a masterpiece. Curtis tossed a one-hitter and had 10 strikeouts to lead the Eagles to a 6-0 victory over Baxter in a Class 1A district baseball final on Saturday at Lynnville-Sully. "We played great," said … [Read more...] about ‘Landon was incredible’: Eagles advance to substate final behind Curtis’ 1-hitter

Eagles top BCLUW, will play at Mason City Newman for trip to 1A state tournament

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Ankeny Christian Academy's Katie Quick was surprised when BCLUW elected to pitch to her during the third inning of Saturday's softball game at North Polk Middle School. The senior quickly made the Comets pay for that decision. Quick hit a three-run homer on the first pitch from Kiayre Gallentine to break a scoreless tie, and the 11th-ranked Eagles went … [Read more...] about Eagles top BCLUW, will play at Mason City Newman for trip to 1A state tournament

Former Ankeny infielder Lewis transfers from Morehead State to James Madison

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Former Ankeny softball standout Kendra Lewis has committed to play for James Madison University. Lewis, a third baseman and shortstop, is coming off a breakout season at Morehead State, where she earned all-OVC second-team honors as a sophomore. She will have two years of eligibility remaining. Lewis entered the transfer portal after starting all 49 … [Read more...] about Former Ankeny infielder Lewis transfers from Morehead State to James Madison

QUICK WORK: Eagles rout AGWSR in 4 innings behind senior’s slam, no-hitter

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Ankeny Christian Academy's Katie Quick enjoyed a night to remember on Wednesday. The senor hit a grand slam and also tossed a no-hitter to lead the 11th-ranked Eagles to a 15-0 victory over AGWSR in four innings in a Class 1A regional softball quarterfinal at North Polk Middle School. "It feels really good," said Quick, who finished with five RBIs. "I … [Read more...] about QUICK WORK: Eagles rout AGWSR in 4 innings behind senior’s slam, no-hitter