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Baseball

Jaguars deliver knockout blow, sweep season series against Ankeny

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Ankeny Centennial's Cory Prange was looking for a pitch that he could drive. He never got one. Prange walked on four straight pitches from Ankeny reliever Cooper Cox to force in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning, giving the seventh-ranked Jaguars a 4-3 victory and a sweep of Thursday's CIML Central Conference baseball … [Read more...] about Jaguars deliver knockout blow, sweep season series against Ankeny

Hawks drop both games at Marshalltown, fall to 16-15 on season

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After dropping a 6-1 decision in the first game of a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday at Marshalltown, the Ankeny baseball team appeared to be on its way to a split after jumping out to a 5-1 lead in the nightcap. It didn't turn out that way. Marshalltown rallied for seven runs in the fourth inning, then added three more in the fifth to post an … [Read more...] about Hawks drop both games at Marshalltown, fall to 16-15 on season

Hawks get another walk-off win, hand Gilbert just its 3rd loss of season

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For the second night in a row, the Ankeny baseball team walked off with a win over a ranked opponent. The Hawks scored a run in the bottom of the seventh inning to beat Gilbert, 2-1, in a non-conference game on Tuesday. Gilbert, the No. 6 team in Class 3A, lost for only the third time in 24 games this season. Ankeny improved its record to 16-13. The … [Read more...] about Hawks get another walk-off win, hand Gilbert just its 3rd loss of season

Hawks earn another split against No. 1 Johnston on Lyons’ walk-off double

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Evan Lyons stepped to the plate on Monday night with a chance to be the hero. The Ankeny senior came through with his second walk-off hit of the season. Lyons ripped a one-out double to the gap in left-center field to drive in three runs and give the Hawks an 8-7 victory over top-ranked Johnston in the nightcap of a CIML Central Conference baseball … [Read more...] about Hawks earn another split against No. 1 Johnston on Lyons’ walk-off double

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Evan Lyons, Ankeny baseball

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Senior catcher Evan Lyons has helped the Ankeny baseball team to a 14-12 record, including an 8-8 mark in the CIML Central Conference. Lyons is batting .217 with one home run, six doubles and 13 RBIs. He also boasts a .986 fielding percentage. Here is some inside info on Lyons: How is the season going thus far? As a young team we still have … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Evan Lyons, Ankeny baseball

No. 9 Maroons top Ankeny as Gehrke tosses 4-hitter, fans 10 in 6-1 victory

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Dowling Catholic righthander Nyanti Gehrke didn't throw nearly as hard as Ankeny pitcher Brody Brecht during Saturday's make-up game at Ankeny. But Gehrke was certainly effective. The junior tossed a four-hitter and had 10 strikeouts to lead the ninth-ranked Maroons to a 6-1 victory in a CIML Central Conference contest. The win allowed Dowling (10-8, … [Read more...] about No. 9 Maroons top Ankeny as Gehrke tosses 4-hitter, fans 10 in 6-1 victory

Hawks start off July with sweep, capped off by Andrews’ 2-hit gem

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Weston Fulk and his Ankeny teammates are hoping to play their best baseball of the season in July. The Hawks got the month off to a good start on Monday by sweeping a doubleheader against visiting Ames. After posting a 5-4 victory in the opener, Ankeny completed the sweep with an 8-1 triumph. "We're trying to get on a roll," said Fulk, who was the … [Read more...] about Hawks start off July with sweep, capped off by Andrews’ 2-hit gem

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Kade Somers, Ankeny baseball

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Kade Somers is a member of the Ankeny baseball team. The sophomore outfielder has helped the Hawks to a 14-11 record. He has played in 19 games, including 13 starts, and is batting .231 with one triple and four RBIs. "Kade brings a great attitude with him to the ballpark every single day," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. "Regardless of what his role … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Kade Somers, Ankeny baseball

Freshman pitcher leads Hawks to 4-1 victory in nightcap at No. 8 Urbandale

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Earlier this month, Weston Fulk provided the heroics as the Ankeny baseball team salvaged a split of a doubleheader against Urbandale, hitting a walk-off, three-run homer in the bottom of the 10th inning. On Wednesday, Samuel Andrews came to the rescue for the Hawks. The freshman pitcher earned his first varsity victory as Ankeny posted a 4-1 win at … [Read more...] about Freshman pitcher leads Hawks to 4-1 victory in nightcap at No. 8 Urbandale

Hawks respond to coach’s challenge with 9-4 win at Dowling in 2nd game

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The Ankeny baseball team was challenged by head coach Joe Balvanz after the Hawks dropped the first game of Monday's doubleheader at fifth-ranked Dowling Catholic. Balvanz's message was heard loud and clear by his players. The Hawks responded with a 9-4 victory in the nightcap to salvage a split of the twinbill. They are now 5-6 in the CIML Central … [Read more...] about Hawks respond to coach’s challenge with 9-4 win at Dowling in 2nd game

Hawks walk off with extra-inning win, earn split against D.M. East

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The Ankeny baseball team walked off with a win Thursday for the second time this season. The Hawks scored a run in the bottom of the eighth inning to beat visiting Des Moines East, 4-3, in the second game of a doubleheader. The Scarlets won the opener, 8-3. Ankeny is now 10-9 on the season. East's record is 11-7. Jase Bauer had a huge night at the … [Read more...] about Hawks walk off with extra-inning win, earn split against D.M. East

Brecht shuts down top-ranked Dragons, then seals 1-0 win with leaping catch

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Brody Brecht gave the Ankeny baseball team a much-needed lift on Wednesday. The sophomore righthander outdueled Johnston standout Jackson Vines to lead the visiting Hawks to a 1-0 victory in the first game of a CIML Central Conference doubleheader, handing the top-ranked Dragons just their second loss of the season. "Going into the game we obviously … [Read more...] about Brecht shuts down top-ranked Dragons, then seals 1-0 win with leaping catch

Hawks take 4-game winning streak into doubleheader against No. 8 Centennial

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Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz has tried to downplay the significance of Monday's doubleheader against visiting Ankeny Centennial. But he knows his message is falling on deaf ears. "You can try to talk them down all you want, but the kids get really fired up for this," Balvanz said. "It really should be like playing Johnston or Waukee, but we all … [Read more...] about Hawks take 4-game winning streak into doubleheader against No. 8 Centennial

Hawks notch rare win at Valley behind Brecht’s solid outing, Boyd’s 5 steals

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When Cael Boyd, Brody Brecht and the Ankeny football team played at Valley in the opening round of the Class 4A playoffs last fall, it ended with a heartbreaking loss for the Hawks. Boyd and Brecht returned to Valley on Friday with the Ankeny baseball squad. This time, the ending was much happier. The two sophomores both played huge roles as Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawks notch rare win at Valley behind Brecht’s solid outing, Boyd’s 5 steals

Johnson gets a save, helps Hawks to sweep Ames baseball team

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The Ankeny baseball team was already relying on several sophomores this season. Now you can add another one to the list. Sophomore pitcher Will Johnson made his varsity debut during the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader at Ames, then came back in during the nightcap and earned a save as the Hawks completed a sweep of the twinbill with a 7-6 … [Read more...] about Johnson gets a save, helps Hawks to sweep Ames baseball team

Hawks earn split against Urbandale on Fulk’s walk-off blast in 10th inning

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For most of the night, the Urbandale baseball team pitched around Ankeny's Brody Brecht in order to face the Hawks' other hitters. That strategy backfired in a big way Monday in the second game of a doubleheader at Ankeny. Weston Fulk hit a walk-off, three-run homer in the bottom of the 10th inning to give the Hawks a 13-10 victory and a split of the … [Read more...] about Hawks earn split against Urbandale on Fulk’s walk-off blast in 10th inning

Waukee records back-to-back walk-off victories against Hawks

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The Ankeny baseball team had a chance to win both games of Thursday's doubleheader at Waukee. Instead, the sixth-ranked Warriors came away with a pair of walk-off victories. Waukee swept the twinbill by scores of 3-2 and 4-3 to improve to 9-2 on the season. No. 9 Ankeny's record dropped to 4-4. "We played really well except for the seventh … [Read more...] about Waukee records back-to-back walk-off victories against Hawks

Hawks ‘turn the page’ after splitting doubleheader against Roosevelt

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Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz doesn't want his players to get too excited after a win. He also doesn't want them to dwell too long on a loss. Wednesday's doubleheader against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt was a perfect example of both of those scenarios. The ninth-ranked Hawks posted an 8-4 victory in the first game of the twinbill. They then … [Read more...] about Hawks ‘turn the page’ after splitting doubleheader against Roosevelt