Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz wanted to use both Cameron Rinker and Chris Spear on the mound during Wednesday's doubleheader against visiting Waukee. He is also hoping to get some innings out of both pitchers during Saturday's make-up twinbill against sixth-ranked Southeast Polk. The only solution was to split Wednesday's second game between the … [Read more...] about Hawks bounce back to win nightcap, earn split against Waukee
Baseball
After long layoff, Hawks fall to Heelan, then roll past Bettendorf
It took awhile, but the Ankeny baseball team finally got its offense untracked during the Brent Prange Classic on Saturday. After dropping a 2-1 decision to Sioux City Heelan, the Hawks fell behind Bettendorf, 1-0, in their second game of the tournament. Ankeny scored twice in the third inning to take a 2-1 lead. The Hawks then erupted for six runs in … [Read more...] about After long layoff, Hawks fall to Heelan, then roll past Bettendorf
Hawks rally past Valley in nightcap, salvage split of twinbill
The Valley baseball team had a chance to take a commanding lead in the CIML Central Conference race on Wednesday. The Tigers posted a 6-3 victory in the first game of a doubleheader at Ankeny, then jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning of the nightcap. But the Hawks refused to go away. Ankeny rallied for a 9-8 walk-off win and a split of the … [Read more...] about Hawks rally past Valley in nightcap, salvage split of twinbill
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Jake Slattery, Ankeny baseball
Jake Slattery of the Ankeny baseball team is the Ankeny Fanatic Sub of the Week sponsored by Blimpie. The senior has helped the Hawks to a 9-6 record, including a 5-3 mark in the CIML Central Conference. "Jake usually plays left field and is just a very solid defender," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. "He's a defensive replacement, and he knows his job … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Jake Slattery, Ankeny baseball
Waukee’s Sorenson, Irvine shut down Hawks en route to sweep
The Ankeny baseball team had a chance to score some early runs during Monday's doubleheader at Waukee. When the Hawks failed to capitalize on the opportunity, they never again had a similar chance to gain some momentum. The seventh-ranked Warriors posted a 2-0 victory in the opener, then completed a sweep with a 9-0 win in the second game. Both teams … [Read more...] about Waukee’s Sorenson, Irvine shut down Hawks en route to sweep
Casel tosses 3-hitter, leads Hawks to split at Southeast Polk
Ankeny lefthander Will Casel recorded only one strikeout during the first game of a CIML Central Conference baseball doubleheader on Monday at Southeast Polk. But the senior was still very effective. Casel tossed a three-hitter and retired 13 batters on fly balls as the Hawks extended their winning streak to seven games with a 3-2 victory in the opener … [Read more...] about Casel tosses 3-hitter, leads Hawks to split at Southeast Polk
Maifeld, Rinker hurl back-to-back gems in Hawks’ sweep over Ames
Ankeny pitcher Jayden Maifeld tossed a gem in the first game of a doubleheader against visiting Ames on Thursday. Then teammate Cameron Rinker threw another one in the nightcap, allowing the Hawks to sweep the CIML Central Conference opener. "It's fun to watch those two guys talk to each other. They kind of feed off each other," said Ankeny coach Joe … [Read more...] about Maifeld, Rinker hurl back-to-back gems in Hawks’ sweep over Ames
Talented trio of freshmen helps Hawks sweep doubleheader at East
The Ankeny baseball team returned to Des Moines East on Wednesday and avenged last year's substate loss to the Scarlets by sweeping a doubleheader, 10-0 and 8-3. The Hawks won the opener in six innings for their first victory of the season. They then completed the sweep to improve their record to 2-3, while East dropped to 1-7. "We played much better … [Read more...] about Talented trio of freshmen helps Hawks sweep doubleheader at East
Hawks boast strong foundation with return of standouts Hill, Maifeld
Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz still has a lot of faith in his team despite the Hawks' 0-3 start. Ankeny posted an 18-22 record a year ago, including a 6-14 mark in the CIML Central Conference. Several key players are back from that team, led by first-team all-conference selections Drew Hill and Jayden Maifeld. "We bring back a lot of experience," … [Read more...] about Hawks boast strong foundation with return of standouts Hill, Maifeld
Hawks waste Rinker’s strong outing in loss to Saydel
It's no secret what the biggest problem is right now for the Ankeny baseball team. The Hawks dropped to 0-3 on the season Thursday with a 4-1 loss to visiting Saydel in a non-conference game. "We've got to figure out how to score some more runs," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz, whose team has been held to a total of three runs in three games. "That's … [Read more...] about Hawks waste Rinker’s strong outing in loss to Saydel
Hawks open season with doubleheader loss at Johnston
The Ankeny baseball team was hoping to open its season at home with a strong performance against a quality opponent. It didn't work out that way. After Monday's doubleheader was moved to Johnston because of a wet field, the Dragons swept both games of the twinbill by scores of 11-2 and 9-0. They completed the sweep with a pitching gem in the nightcap, … [Read more...] about Hawks open season with doubleheader loss at Johnston