Ankeny Fanatic

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Baseball

‘It just wasn’t our night’: Hawks close out season with 8-1 loss at Sioux City East

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Hawks rally for 9-8 victory in 8 innings, salvage twinbill split at No. 10 S.E. Polk

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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

‘It’s hard to win over there’: Hawks salvage split at No. 4 Johnston with 8-7 victory

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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

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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

Linn-Mar snaps Hawks’ winning streak, extends its own to 8 games with sweep

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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

Hawks edge Waukee as trio combines on 1-hitter, Irlmeier delivers 2-run single

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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

‘They can play that way all the time’: Hawks erupt for 24 runs, sweep Dowling

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Wednesday's doubleheader at 10th-ranked Dowling Catholic might have been a turning point for the Ankeny baseball team. The Hawks used a seven-run eighth inning to post a 12-5 victory in the first game, then erupted for 11 runs in the first inning of the nightcap and went on to complete a sweep with a 12-2 win in five innings. "I hope it's a confidence … [Read more...] about ‘They can play that way all the time’: Hawks erupt for 24 runs, sweep Dowling

Hawks drop 3-2 decision at Valley despite quality start, 3 hits from Clevidence

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The Ankeny baseball team got a quality start from senior righthander Jack Clevidence, but it wasn't enough to produce a victory on Monday at Valley. After the Hawks took a 2-0 lead in the third inning, Valley answered with three runs in the fourth and then held on for a 3-2 win to snap a six-game losing streak. The Tigers improved to 2-7 in the CIML … [Read more...] about Hawks drop 3-2 decision at Valley despite quality start, 3 hits from Clevidence

Hawks erupt for season-high 16 runs in five-inning victory over Davenport West

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The Ankeny baseball team bounced back from a 7-5 loss to Davenport Central with a 16-1 victory over Davenport West in five innings on Saturday at Davenport. The Hawks are now 7-13 on the season after splitting the non-conference games. "I was glad to come back with a win, but I was certainly hoping for two," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. Ankeny had … [Read more...] about Hawks erupt for season-high 16 runs in five-inning victory over Davenport West

Hawks rally from 10-0 deficit to beat Urbandale, snap 6-game losing streak

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Desperate for a win, the Ankeny baseball team refused to quit. Trailing 10-0 in the second game of a doubleheader on Thursday at Urbandale, the Hawks were three outs away from a run-rule loss that would have stretched their losing streak to seven games. Ankeny extended the contest by scoring three runs in the fifth inning and added five more in the … [Read more...] about Hawks rally from 10-0 deficit to beat Urbandale, snap 6-game losing streak