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Dan Holm

‘We’ve never been here before’: Eagles advance to substate final for first time

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The Ankeny Christian Academy baseball program has reached unprecedented heights. The Eagles advanced to a Class 1A substate final for the first time in school history by defeating Earlham, 5-3, in a district final on Saturday at Ankeny High School. "The guys have put in a ton of work this year," said Ankeny Christian coach Ryan Johnson. "It's the first … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve never been here before’: Eagles advance to substate final for first time

‘We’re pretty happy about the season’: Eagles close out debut campaign at 18-7

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) There’s no question that Ankeny Christian Academy’s softball team knew they had some serious talent in the lineup. But with it being the first season in the program’s history, the 2024 season was all about laying the foundation. So while the Eagles saw their season come to an end following a 7-0 loss at fifth-ranked … [Read more...] about ‘We’re pretty happy about the season’: Eagles close out debut campaign at 18-7

ROAD WARRIORS: Hawks top C.B. Lincoln, will head to Sioux City East on Monday

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Perhaps no team in the state will have to travel farther to make it to the state tournament than the Ankeny baseball squad. The Hawks opened postseason play on Friday with a 5-2 victory over Council Bluffs Lincoln in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal at Iowa Western Community College. "We were very confident as a team," said winning pitcher Jack … [Read more...] about ROAD WARRIORS: Hawks top C.B. Lincoln, will head to Sioux City East on Monday

‘I was ready to go’: Stewart tosses perfect game in Jaguars’ win over Marshalltown

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Sean Stewart used a lot of first-pitch fastballs to get ahead of the Marshalltown hitters on Friday night. The strategy worked perfectly. The Ankeny Centennial senior tossed a five-inning perfect game and the fifth-ranked Jaguars rolled to a 10-0 victory in a Class 4A substate baseball quarterfinal at Centennial. "I just got ahead early and then … [Read more...] about ‘I was ready to go’: Stewart tosses perfect game in Jaguars’ win over Marshalltown

Five questions with former Ankeny star and MLB draft prospect Brody Brecht

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Former Ankeny star Brody Brecht is projected to be a first-round pick in the MLB amateur draft that gets under way on Sunday. Iowa's all-time and single-season strikeout leader is considered one of the top collegiate pitching prospects in this year's draft. While his command could push him into a relief role at the next level, his big-time stuff is the … [Read more...] about Five questions with former Ankeny star and MLB draft prospect Brody Brecht

‘This team is never out of it’: Eagles rally from 7-0 deficit to win postseason debut

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Ankeny Christian Academy pitcher Katie Quick wasn't too concerned when the Coon Rapids-Bayard softball team scored seven runs in the top of the first inning during Wednesday's Class 1A regional quarterfinal at the Prairie Ridge Sports Complex. "I was a little worried, but I know we can score that many (runs)," said Quick. "I was just thinking we need to … [Read more...] about ‘This team is never out of it’: Eagles rally from 7-0 deficit to win postseason debut

Eagles overcome shaky start to beat Madrid, will meet Earlham in district final

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For the second game in a row, the Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team used a big rally in the bottom of the fifth inning to keep its season alive. The Eagles scored twice in the fifth to erase a 3-2 deficit and went on to beat Madrid, 5-3, in a Class 1A district semifinal on Tuesday at Northview Park in Urbandale. "Madrid's a good team," said ACA … [Read more...] about Eagles overcome shaky start to beat Madrid, will meet Earlham in district final

‘Softball is a tough sport’: Hawkettes fall below .500 mark with loss to Indianola

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The Ankeny softball team fell below the .500 mark for the first time since its season opener on Monday, dropping a 4-2 decision to visiting Indianola for its sixth consecutive loss. The eighth-ranked Hawkettes slipped to 19-20 on the season. Indianola raised its record to 19-17. "Softball is a tough sport, and we're feeling it," said Ankeny coach Dave … [Read more...] about ‘Softball is a tough sport’: Hawkettes fall below .500 mark with loss to Indianola

Alberhasky tosses 4-hitter, fans 6 as Jaguars edge Valley to close out season

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Despite scoring just six runs over the last 21 innings, the Ankeny Centennial baseball team will take a three-game winning streak into postseason play. The fifth-ranked Jaguars closed out the regular season on Tuesday with a 1-0 victory over visiting Valley. They won a pitcher's duel for the third time in the last 24 hours after sweeping a doubleheader on … [Read more...] about Alberhasky tosses 4-hitter, fans 6 as Jaguars edge Valley to close out season

Clevidence leads Hawks to 15-5 victory at Fort Dodge in regular-season finale

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The Ankeny baseball team closed out the regular season on Monday with a 15-5 victory at Fort Dodge in five innings in a non-conference game. The Hawks scored six runs in the second inning, then added two in the fourth and seven more in the fifth to build a 15-0 advantage. Fort Dodge answered with five runs in the bottom of the fifth, but it wasn't enough … [Read more...] about Clevidence leads Hawks to 15-5 victory at Fort Dodge in regular-season finale

MADYBOMB: Ott’s walk-off blast finishes sweep, gives Jags at least share of crown

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Ankeny Centennial's Mady Ott was surprised when the Urbandale softball team elected to pitch to her. It was a decision that the 11th-ranked J-Hawks are now regretting. With two outs and first base open, Ott blasted a three-run homer over the flag pole in left-center field to give the No. 6 Jaguars a 10-8 victory in eight innings to complete a sweep of … [Read more...] about MADYBOMB: Ott’s walk-off blast finishes sweep, gives Jags at least share of crown

Morris, Rawlings hurl back-to-back gems as Jaguars sweep Urbandale, 4-1 and 1-0

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The Ankeny Centennial baseball team might have the deepest pitching staff in the state. The fifth-ranked Jaguars showed off their tremendous depth on Monday as Will Morris and Tripp Rawlings tossed back-to-back complete games in a doubleheader sweep over visiting Urbandale. Morris threw a four-hitter and had nine strikeouts to lead Centennial to a 4-1 … [Read more...] about Morris, Rawlings hurl back-to-back gems as Jaguars sweep Urbandale, 4-1 and 1-0

Eagles rally past Panorama, will host Madrid next in Class 1A district semifinal

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Eli Christensen and Tyler Mahoney combined on a three-hitter to lead the Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team past Panorama, 4-1, in a Class 1A district quarterfinal on Saturday at Northview Park in Urbandale. The Eagles (16-8) used a three-run fifth inning to erase Panorama's early 1-0 lead. They then added an insurance run in the sixth. "I was … [Read more...] about Eagles rally past Panorama, will host Madrid next in Class 1A district semifinal

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Addi Starr, Ankeny Centennial softball

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Senior catcher and third baseman Addi Starr has helped the sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team to a 26-9 record. The Jaguars are 11-3 in the CIML Conference, putting them in a four-way tie for first place atop the league standings heading into Monday's doubleheader at home against No. 11 Urbandale. Starr drove in the winning run in the ninth … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Addi Starr, Ankeny Centennial softball

Jaguars outlast Waukee NW in nightcap, remain tied for CIML Conference lead

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The stage was set heading into Saturday afternoon and things were simple for the Ankeny Centennial softball team: the sixth-ranked Jaguars needed to pull out at least one win against No. 5 Waukee Northwest to stay alive in the race for the CIML Conference title. The Jaguars suffered a 3-1 loss to open up the weekend … [Read more...] about Jaguars outlast Waukee NW in nightcap, remain tied for CIML Conference lead

Sioux City North rallies for 3 runs in 7th inning to earn split against Centennial

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The Ankeny Centennial baseball team had to settle for a split on Saturday against visiting Sioux City North. After fifth-ranked Centennial posted a 5-0 victory in the opener of a non-conference doubleheader, the Stars rallied for three runs in the seventh inning to earn a 4-3 win in the second game that allowed them to avoid a sweep. The Jaguars are … [Read more...] about Sioux City North rallies for 3 runs in 7th inning to earn split against Centennial

Dubuque Wahlert, Carlisle extend Hawkettes’ losing streak to 4 games

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It's been a season of twists and turns for the Ankeny softball team. Now, with the postseason just around the corner, the eighth-ranked Hawkettes need to find their mojo. Ankeny dropped a pair of games to rated opponents at the Carlisle tournament on Friday, extending its losing streak to four games--matching a season-high. The Hawkettes fell to … [Read more...] about Dubuque Wahlert, Carlisle extend Hawkettes’ losing streak to 4 games