(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The 2025 baseball season hasn’t gotten off to the most ideal start for the Ankeny Hawks. After having two different delays earlier in the week, the Hawks officially opened the year with an 0-2 record after falling 13-0 and 5-0 in a doubleheader against visiting Pleasant Valley on Thursday. The Spartans are No. 5 in the Class … [Read more...] about ‘Tip of the cap to Pleasant Valley’: No. 5 Spartans sweep doubleheader at Ankeny
Baseball
‘This team has a chance to be really good’: Hawks enter 2025 with high expectations
There is no shortage of experience on this year's Ankeny baseball team. The Hawks return five players who started at least 10 games a year ago, including junior Will Davies, who made 11 of his 32 starts on the mound. Two other pitchers who combined for 15 starts are also back. "The practices have been tremendously competitive," said Ankeny coach Joe … [Read more...] about ‘This team has a chance to be really good’: Hawks enter 2025 with high expectations
‘It felt like it was a good fit’: Ankeny’s Vos commits to play baseball at Black Hawk
Ankeny senior Kinnick Vos has verbally committed to play baseball at Black Hawk Community College in Moline, Ill. Vos, a shortstop, will be reunited with former teammate Ben Sandvig, who started his collegiate career at North Iowa Area Community College but has since transferred to Black Hawk. "I narrowed it down to a couple options at some different … [Read more...] about ‘It felt like it was a good fit’: Ankeny’s Vos commits to play baseball at Black Hawk
IHSAA announces Sioux City will host Class 4A state baseball tourney in 2025
Locations for the next four years of the IHSAA State Baseball Tournament are set following extensive planning for the upcoming 2025 postseason and beyond. The split site tournament will head west next summer to Sioux City and Carroll, then return to Cedar Rapids and Carroll from 2026 through at least 2028. “Thanks to a great team effort, our state … [Read more...] about IHSAA announces Sioux City will host Class 4A state baseball tourney in 2025
Ex-Hawk Adamson verbally commits to play baseball at Cal State Bakersfield
Former Ankeny pitcher Brock Adamson has found a new home. The Ellsworth Community College sophomore has verbally committed to play for the Cal State Bakersfield baseball program in 2025. "I am excited to announce my commitment to Cal State Bakersfield to further my academic and baseball career," Adamson tweeted on X. "I want to thank God, my family, … [Read more...] about Ex-Hawk Adamson verbally commits to play baseball at Cal State Bakersfield
‘I knew it was an easy choice’: Ankeny’s Halverson to play baseball at Ellsworth
It was an easy decision for Ankeny senior Zach Halverson. The righthanded pitcher has committed to play baseball for Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls. He announced his decision via social media on Thursday. "There was a good amount of schools that were in contact with me," said Halverson. "And honestly, it wasn't really that difficult of a … [Read more...] about ‘I knew it was an easy choice’: Ankeny’s Halverson to play baseball at Ellsworth
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Eli Christensen, ACA baseball
Senior pitcher Eli Christensen led the Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team to an 18-9 record. He was named to the Class 1A all-state third team and to the Central all-district first team by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association. Christensen posted a 7-3 record with a 1.60 ERA while limiting opposing batters to a .185 average. He led Class … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Eli Christensen, ACA baseball
Oakie named Player of Year by Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association
Ankeny Centennial baseball star Joey Oakie has been named the Game One Player of the Year by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association. Oakie, a senior pitcher, was also a repeat selection to the All-State Super Team. The squad is comprised of the state's top 16 players regardless of class. Oakie was one of four players from Ankeny to receive … [Read more...] about Oakie named Player of Year by Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association
Bruhl, Oakie are unanimous picks to CIML first team, joined by Alberhasky, Morgan
Ankeny Centennial baseball standouts Joey Oakie and Isaac Bruhl were both unanimous picks to the CIML Conference first team. They were joined on the squad by teammate Emerson Alberhasky and Blake Morgan of Ankeny. Ten players from Centennial and 10 more from Ankeny received all-conference honors. The teams were selected by the league's coaches. Oakie, … [Read more...] about Bruhl, Oakie are unanimous picks to CIML first team, joined by Alberhasky, Morgan
Centennial star Oakie named to all-district first team for 3rd consecutive year
Ankeny Centennial baseball standout Joey Oakie has been named to the Class 4A North Central all-district first team for the third consecutive year. The teams were selected by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association. Oakie was among eight players from Ankeny to earn all-district honors in Class 4A. He was joined on the first team by teammate … [Read more...] about Centennial star Oakie named to all-district first team for 3rd consecutive year
‘It just wasn’t our night’: Hawks close out season with 8-1 loss at Sioux City East
Sioux City's East Jax Theeler homered on the first pitch in the bottom of the first inning and the Black Raiders went on to beat visiting Ankeny, 8-1, in a Class 4A substate baseball semifinal on Monday. Sioux City East (26-13) advanced to Wednesday's substate final at second-ranked Dallas Center-Grimes (34-3). The Hawks finished the season at … [Read more...] about ‘It just wasn’t our night’: Hawks close out season with 8-1 loss at Sioux City East
Clevidence leads Hawks to 15-5 victory at Fort Dodge in regular-season finale
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
Hawks fall to Dallas Center-Grimes in potential preview of 4A substate final
The Ankeny baseball team dropped a 4-3 decision at second-ranked Dallas Center-Grimes in a non-conference game on Wednesday. The Hawks took a 3-1 lead in the second inning before Dallas Center-Grimes scored one run in the fifth and two more in the sixth to earn its fifth straight victory. The Mustangs improved to 32-2 on the season, while Ankeny's record … [Read more...] about Hawks fall to Dallas Center-Grimes in potential preview of 4A substate final
Clevidence, Gerstel toss complete games to lead Hawks to sweep over Valley
The Ankeny baseball team might be getting hot at the right time. The Hawks swept a home doubleheader on Monday for the first time this season, posting 6-1 and 5-3 victories over Valley. They also extended their winning streak to a season-high four games. The CIML Conference rivals could potentially meet again in a Class 4A substate semifinal in two … [Read more...] about Clevidence, Gerstel toss complete games to lead Hawks to sweep over Valley
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Evan Irlmeier, Ankeny baseball
Junior outfielder Evan Irlmeier has started all 36 games while helping the Ankeny baseball team to a 15-21 record, including a 9-13 mark in the CIML Conference. He went 5-for-7 on the night as the Hawks split a doubleheader at fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial on Wednesday. Irlmeier went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and a run scored as Ankeny posted a 7-5 … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Evan Irlmeier, Ankeny baseball
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
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
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
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
‘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