Ankeny Fanatic

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Baseball

‘We just didn’t execute’: Hawks let lead slip away in 4A championship game

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Weston Fulk couldn't help but think about the state title that slipped away. But he was also focusing on winning a championship in 2021. "We know where we could have been," Fulk said after his Ankeny baseball team lost to Johnston, 11-8, in the Class 4A final on Saturday at Principal Park. "We deserved to be in this game--everybody knows it. But I'm … [Read more...] about ‘We just didn’t execute’: Hawks let lead slip away in 4A championship game

Hawks settle for runner-up trophy after Johnston rallies for 11-8 victory

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The Ankeny baseball team was in a position to win the Class 4A state title on Saturday night at Principal Park. The Hawks just couldn't close the deal. Top-ranked Johnston overcame a 7-3 deficit with three runs in the fifth inning and five more in the sixth to rally for an 11-8 victory over No. 2 Ankeny. The Dragons (24-3) won their fifth state … [Read more...] about Hawks settle for runner-up trophy after Johnston rallies for 11-8 victory

Hawks outlast Dubuque Hempstead, will play Johnston for Class 4A crown

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Just a few months after the Ankeny boys' basketball team won the Class 4A state title, the school's baseball squad will have a chance to win a championship of its own. Second-ranked Ankeny advanced to the Class 4A title game with a wild 9-8 victory over No. 4 Dubuque Hempstead in the semifinals on Friday at Principal Park. Ryan Madole scored from third … [Read more...] about Hawks outlast Dubuque Hempstead, will play Johnston for Class 4A crown

Hawks walk off on wild pitch, advance to Class 4A championship game

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The Ankeny baseball team advanced to the Class 4A championship game in dramatic, walk-off fashion. Ryan Madole scored from third base on a wild pitch with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the second-ranked Hawks a wild 9-8 victory over No. 4 Dubuque Hempstead in the semifinals on Friday at Principal Park. Ankeny (21-8) will play No. … [Read more...] about Hawks walk off on wild pitch, advance to Class 4A championship game

STICKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK TO THE PLAN: Brecht fans 16 as Hawks advance

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Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz was tempted to pull his starting pitcher after the Hawks jumped out to a 4-0 lead against Pleasant Valley in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A state tournament on Wednesday night. Brody Brecht was even campaigning to come out of the game, because such a move would have allowed him to potentially return to the mound in … [Read more...] about STICKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK TO THE PLAN: Brecht fans 16 as Hawks advance

‘We’re hitting our stride’: Hawks’ bid for 3rd state title begins with Pleasant Valley

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Weston Fulk knew that this year's Ankeny baseball team had a chance to be special. The second-ranked Hawks are now just three wins away from completing a magical journey. Ankeny is making its second straight appearance in the Class 4A state tournament. The Hawks (19-8) will meet Pleasant Valley (13-11) in the quarterfinals on Wednesday at Principal … [Read more...] about ‘We’re hitting our stride’: Hawks’ bid for 3rd state title begins with Pleasant Valley

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Carter Smith, Ankeny baseball

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Junior second baseman Carter Smith has helped the second-ranked Ankeny baseball team to a 19-8 record. He went 1-for-3 and scored a run as the Hawks posted a 5-0 victory over visiting Council Bluffs Lincoln in a Class 4A substate final on Wednesday. Smith is batting .302 with two doubles, one triple and 15 RBIs. He ranks second on the team with 25 runs … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Carter Smith, Ankeny baseball

Hawks soar back to Principal Park, will face Pleasant Valley in 4A quarterfinals

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Mo Watson isn't taking this abbreviated baseball season for granted. The senior catcher hit an RBI single to ignite second-ranked Ankeny to a 5-0 victory over visiting Council Bluffs Lincoln in a Class 4A substate final on Wednesday. The Hawks (19-8) advanced to next week's state tournament for the second straight year. "It feels awesome," said Watson. … [Read more...] about Hawks soar back to Principal Park, will face Pleasant Valley in 4A quarterfinals

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Lucas Juhl, Ankeny baseball

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Senior third baseman Lucas Juhl is a member of the second-ranked Ankeny baseball team. He has helped the Hawks to an 18-8 record. Juhl has played in 23 of the 26 games with 15 starts. He will play for Simpson College next year. "Lucas always has a team-focused approach," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. "He knows that his role as a defensive specialist … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Lucas Juhl, Ankeny baseball

‘That was a big-time comeback’: 5-run 7th inning allows Hawks to salvage split

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The Ankeny baseball team appeared to be on its way to a doubleheader loss on Monday that would have stifled the Hawks' momentum heading into postseason play. Visiting Valley was three outs away from completing a sweep before second-ranked Ankeny rallied for five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to post a dramatic 7-6 victory. "That was a … [Read more...] about ‘That was a big-time comeback’: 5-run 7th inning allows Hawks to salvage split

Hawks take care of business, roll to pair of 5-inning victories at North

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Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz was hoping that his players could take care of business quickly on Friday. Mission accomplished. The third-ranked Hawks traveled to Des Moines North for an afternoon doubleheader and came away with a pair of five-inning victories, 14-0 and 14-1. They improved to 17-7 on the season, while the Polar Bears' record dropped … [Read more...] about Hawks take care of business, roll to pair of 5-inning victories at North

Hawks build some momentum for postseason with sweep over S.E. Polk

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The Ankeny baseball players had several reasons to be motivated on Wednesday. For someone like Bryce Rinderknecht, it might have been his final opportunity to take the mound for the Hawks. He didn't want to let it go to waste. For others such as Brody Brecht, a chance for some revenge against Southeast Polk was a huge motivating factor. Brecht went … [Read more...] about Hawks build some momentum for postseason with sweep over S.E. Polk

No. 3 Hawks split with No. 1 Dowling in potential substate final preview

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(UPDATE: The rest of Dowling Catholic's season has been cancelled after one of its players tested positive for COVID-19.) Tuesday's baseball doubleheader at Dowling Catholic provided a unique opportunity for both the top-ranked Maroons and No. 3 Ankeny to get a glimpse of their potential opponent in a Class 4A substate final. Both squads have been … [Read more...] about No. 3 Hawks split with No. 1 Dowling in potential substate final preview

Fulk fans 8, hits 3 doubles in Hawks’ 12-2 victory over No. 3 Urbandale

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Ankeny's Weston Fulk relied on his left arm to shut down the Urbandale baseball team on Thursday. The junior's bat was pretty productive, too. Fulk racked up eight strikeouts over the first five innings and also went 4-for-4 at the plate with three doubles and three RBIs to lead the fifth-ranked Hawks to a 12-2 victory in six innings in the first game … [Read more...] about Fulk fans 8, hits 3 doubles in Hawks’ 12-2 victory over No. 3 Urbandale

‘The guys played at a high level’: Ankeny sweeps Jaguars behind pitching gems

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The Ankeny baseball team brought all of its pitching arms to Principal Park on Wednesday. That spelled trouble for the Hawks' crosstown rival. Fifth-ranked Ankeny got a pair of pitching gems from Bryce Rinderknecht and Brody Brecht to sweep a doubleheader against No. 10 Ankeny Centennial, 4-1 and 2-1. The Hawks gained some much-needed revenge after … [Read more...] about ‘The guys played at a high level’: Ankeny sweeps Jaguars behind pitching gems

Hawks sweep rival at Principal Park; Centennial salvages split in softball

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Nobody had to remind Brody Brecht what happened last year when his Ankeny baseball team played crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial. Brecht allowed just two hits over six scoreless innings and had 13 strikeouts to lead the fifth-ranked Hawks past No. 10 Centennial, 2-1, in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader at Principal Park. Ankeny also won the … [Read more...] about Hawks sweep rival at Principal Park; Centennial salvages split in softball