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
‘She will be greatly missed’: Centennial boys’ tennis coach Lewton passes away
Will Blevins will always appreciate the role that Tami Lewton played in his success on the tennis court. "Tami was instrumental in my career," the former Ankeny Centennial star said. "I had known Tami since I was about 10 years old, and we met at the Ankeny tennis courts. I began taking lessons with her and then she helped me to find other pros and clubs … [Read more...] about ‘She will be greatly missed’: Centennial boys’ tennis coach Lewton passes away
‘I’ve been itching to get back’: Johnson returns, blasts homer in win over Dodgers
It was a Senior Night that Cassie Johnson will never forget. The Ankeny softball star returned to the team's lineup for the first time in nearly a month and blasted a two-run homer in her first at-bat, helping the eighth-ranked Hawkettes to a 4-3 victory over Class 4A No. 3 Fort Dodge in a non-conference game on Wednesday. Johnson, who had suffered a … [Read more...] about ‘I’ve been itching to get back’: Johnson returns, blasts homer in win over Dodgers
‘We’ve got to get back to some basics’: Hawkettes tumble twice at No. 3 Johnston
The Ankeny softball team will need to regroup after being swept in Monday's doubleheader at third-ranked Johnston. The Dragons posted an 8-5 victory in the opener, then followed with a 12-2 win in six innings. They extended their winning streak to five games. The No. 7 Hawkettes, meanwhile, have lost four in a row. "We're streaky right now, and … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve got to get back to some basics’: Hawkettes tumble twice at No. 3 Johnston
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 264
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm celebrates the life of Fanatic photographer Drue Wolfe with fellow photographers Jerrad Downer and Mike Hughes, KCCI-TV sports anchor and reporter Shannon Ehrhardt, and Des Moines Roosevelt baseball coach Randy Wee. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 264
‘He’s something special’: Oakie tosses another gem in Jaguars’ win over Dowling
It was a tale of two completely different games. The second-ranked Ankeny Centennial baseball team rolled to a 10-0 victory over visiting Dowling Catholic in five innings before the Maroons salvaged a split of Monday's doubleheader with a 10-2 win in the nightcap. "They were almost polar opposites of each other, but those games like we had in the … [Read more...] about ‘He’s something special’: Oakie tosses another gem in Jaguars’ win over Dowling
‘Tonight was a special night’: Seniors help Jaguars to another sweep, into first place
Just call it a perfect dozen. The Ankeny Centennial softball team extended its winning streak to 12 games with a doubleheader sweep over visiting Dowling Catholic on Monday. The fifth-ranked Jaguars posted a 10-0 victory in six innings in the opener, then followed with a 10-2 win in the nightcap. "Tonight was a special night for us," said Centennial … [Read more...] about ‘Tonight was a special night’: Seniors help Jaguars to another sweep, into first place
‘It’s hard to win over there’: Hawks salvage split at No. 4 Johnston with 8-7 victory
This year's edition of the Ankeny baseball team isn't the most talented squad that Joe Balvanz has coached during his tenure with the Hawks. But it might be one of the grittiest. Ankeny bounced back from a 15-11 loss at fourth-ranked Johnston on Monday with an 8-7 victory in the second game of a doubleheader. The Hawks snapped their three-game losing … [Read more...] about ‘It’s hard to win over there’: Hawks salvage split at No. 4 Johnston with 8-7 victory
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Carson Riggs, Ankeny baseball
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 … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Carson Riggs, Ankeny baseball
Jaguars cruise to championship of Fort Dodge Invitational; Ankeny places 4th
Mady Ott and the Ankeny Centennial softball team feel right at home at Harlan Rogers Park. Ott homered twice and drove in seven runs on Saturday as the fifth-ranked Jaguars cruised to the championship of the 16-team Fort Dodge Invitational. They rallied for an 11-5 victory over Class 3A No. 1 Williamsburg in the semifinals, then followed with an 8-2 … [Read more...] about Jaguars cruise to championship of Fort Dodge Invitational; Ankeny places 4th
Linn-Mar snaps Hawks’ winning streak, extends its own to 8 games with sweep
One of the state's hottest baseball teams visited Ankeny on Friday for a non-conference doubleheader and swept the Hawks. Linn-Mar (Marion) posted a 12-2 victory in six innings in the opener, snapping Ankeny's three-game winning streak. The Lions then completed the sweep with an 8-4 win. Linn-Mar (16-6) has won its last eight games by a combined margin … [Read more...] about Linn-Mar snaps Hawks’ winning streak, extends its own to 8 games with sweep
Oakie blasts homer, drives in 4 runs to lead Jaguars to 7-4 victory at Urbandale
Joey Oakie's dominance on the pitcher's mound has been well documented. But the Ankeny Centennial senior is a pretty good hitter, too. Oakie went 3-for-4 with a homer and four RBIs to lead the second-ranked Jaguars to a 7-4 victory at Urbandale on Thursday. He now leads the team with two homers and 19 RBIs. The win allowed Centennial to remain a … [Read more...] about Oakie blasts homer, drives in 4 runs to lead Jaguars to 7-4 victory at Urbandale
Hawks edge Waukee as trio combines on 1-hitter, Irlmeier delivers 2-run single
A slow start this season knocked the Ankeny baseball team out of CIML Conference title contention right away. But that doesn't mean the Hawks can't be a factor in the race. Three Ankeny pitchers combined on a one-hitter as the Hawks posted a 2-1 victory over visiting Waukee on Thursday. It was the third straight loss for the fifth-ranked Warriors, who … [Read more...] about Hawks edge Waukee as trio combines on 1-hitter, Irlmeier delivers 2-run single