The surging Ankeny Centennial baseball team continued its winning ways on Wednesday. The Jaguars' latest victory came at the expense of their crosstown rival. Sean Stewart and Colton Arndt combined on a seven-hitter as the fourth-ranked Jaguars posted a 4-3 win at Ankeny in a CIML Conference game that was briefly delayed by rain in the fourth … [Read more...] about ‘Our team responded pretty well’: Jags overcome rain delay to edge Ankeny, 4-3
Baseball
‘We’re just not scoring enough runs’: Hawks struggle at plate, fall twice to NW
It's too early for the Ankeny baseball team to panic. The Hawks just need to get their bats going. Ankeny dropped both ends of a CIML Conference doubleheader against visiting Waukee Northwest on Monday. The ninth-ranked Wolves posted a 6-2 victory in the opener before completing the sweep with a 4-1 win. "I didn't think either of their starters was … [Read more...] about ‘We’re just not scoring enough runs’: Hawks struggle at plate, fall twice to NW
Irlmeier stays hot, but S.E. Polk uses 5-run 4th inning to post 6-4 win over Hawks
The seventh-ranked Southeast Polk baseball team used a five-run fourth inning to erase a 3-1 deficit and went on to beat host Ankeny, 6-4, in a CIML Conference game on Friday. The Hawks lost despite another big night from junior outfielder Evan Irlmeier, who went 3-for-3 for the second straight game and drove in a pair of runs. After a slow start to the … [Read more...] about Irlmeier stays hot, but S.E. Polk uses 5-run 4th inning to post 6-4 win over Hawks
Two-time defending champs top Ankeny, extend their winning streak to 21 games
The Ankeny baseball team allowed just six hits in a game against visiting Johnston on Thursday. But the top-ranked Dragons took advantage of six walks and six hit by pitches to post a 7-3 victory, extending their winning streak to 21 games dating back to last season. "We gave them 12 or 13 free bases, and that's an experienced lineup of juniors and … [Read more...] about Two-time defending champs top Ankeny, extend their winning streak to 21 games
Gerstel, Davies toss back-to-back shutouts in Hawks’ sweep at Ames
A road trip to Ames resulted in back-to-back shutouts for the Ankeny baseball team on Wednesday. The Hawks posted a 12-0 victory in the opener, then completed a sweep of the non-conference doubleheader with a 9-0 win. They improved to 5-6 overall. "The boys played pretty well tonight," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. "We turned like three or four double … [Read more...] about Gerstel, Davies toss back-to-back shutouts in Hawks’ sweep at Ames
Hawks rally past Davenport North, but then fall to North Polk at Heggen Invite
The Ankeny baseball team rallied for a 10-8 victory over Davenport North before dropping a 4-2 decision to North Polk in the Tim Heggen Invitational on Saturday. The Hawks used a seven-run fifth inning to erase a 5-3 deficit against Davenport North (4-2). The Wildcats had taken the lead with a five-run fourth. "We responded to their big inning with a 7 … [Read more...] about Hawks rally past Davenport North, but then fall to North Polk at Heggen Invite
Hawks use 3-run 7th inning to beat Waukee, but Warriors salvage split
The Ankeny baseball team scored three runs in the seventh inning to post a 7-4 victory in the first game of a doubleheader on Wednesday at Waukee. The Warriors then followed with a 6-2 win in the nightcap to earn a split of the twinbill. They are now 2-1 in the CIML Conference and 4-2 overall, while Ankeny's records are 1-2 and 2-5. "We didn't play … [Read more...] about Hawks use 3-run 7th inning to beat Waukee, but Warriors salvage split
Dowling rallies to force extra innings, then erupts for 9-3 victory over Hawks
The Ankeny baseball team appeared to be on the verge of a huge victory on Monday night. But sixth-ranked Dowling Catholic refused to go away quietly. The host Hawks scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth to break a 1-1 tie, but Dowling then answered with two in the seventh to force extra innings. The Maroons later erupted for six runs in the ninth … [Read more...] about Dowling rallies to force extra innings, then erupts for 9-3 victory over Hawks
‘It was just a day for us to grow’: Hawks take early lead, then fall to C.R. Kennedy
The Ankeny baseball team got off to a good start in Saturday's non-conference game at Cedar Rapids Kennedy. Unfortunately, the fifth-ranked Cougars responded. Kennedy erased an early 4-0 deficit to post a 13-8 victory. The Cougars improved to 6-0 on the season, while Ankeny's record dropped to 1-3. "We gave up two three-run bombs, and that was tough … [Read more...] about ‘It was just a day for us to grow’: Hawks take early lead, then fall to C.R. Kennedy
‘The wheels kind of fell off’: Bettendorf defeats Hawks with 7-run 7th inning
Visiting Bettendorf erupted for seven runs in the seventh inning and defeated the Ankeny baseball team, 11-5, in a non-conference game on Thursday. It was the home opener for the Hawks, who dropped to 1-2 on the season. "The wheels kind of fell off at the end," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. "It took us 74 pitches to get through the sixth and seventh … [Read more...] about ‘The wheels kind of fell off’: Bettendorf defeats Hawks with 7-run 7th inning
‘This group has been dedicated’: Ankeny baseball team boasts high hopes
A year ago, the Ankeny baseball team came up one victory shy of qualifying for the Class 4A state tournament. Coach Joe Balvanz and the Hawks are hoping to clear that hurdle this season. "The practices have been going great," said Balvanz. "The players are working hard every day to improve their skill set and baseball IQ. This group has … [Read more...] about ‘This group has been dedicated’: Ankeny baseball team boasts high hopes
‘I built a good connection with them’: Webb-Tate commits to LSU-Shreveport
Former Ankeny baseball standout Tamden Webb-Tate has found a new home. After a successful freshman season at St. Charles Community College in Missouri, Webb-Tate has committed to play for LSU-Shreveport, an NAIA Division I program. "I talked to a few schools, but Shreveport really just stood out to me with how the coaches and staff showed love to me … [Read more...] about ‘I built a good connection with them’: Webb-Tate commits to LSU-Shreveport
‘I can’t wait to play for them’: Ankeny hurler Meyer to play baseball for Storm
Ankeny senior Nick Meyer has verbally committed to play baseball at Simpson College. Meyer said he considered a few other schools before choosing the Storm. "It ultimately wasn’t really a tough decision for me," he said. "I was familiar with the school with my mom being an alumna, so that made it a lot easier just knowing from prior knowledge what … [Read more...] about ‘I can’t wait to play for them’: Ankeny hurler Meyer to play baseball for Storm
Adamson, Watson, Pratt are playing for Large Schools West in All-Star Series
Seniors Brock Adamson and Max Watson of Ankeny along with Easton Pratt of Ankeny Centennial are participating in the 2023 All-Star Series this weekend at Merchants Park in Carroll. The event is sponsored by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association. Adamson, Watson and Pratt will play for the Large Schools West team coached by Eric Evans of … [Read more...] about Adamson, Watson, Pratt are playing for Large Schools West in All-Star Series
Jaguars, Hawks, Eagles earn all-district honors from Baseball Coaches Assoc.
Six Ankeny Centennial players have been named to the Class 4A North Central all-district first team by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association, while Ankeny landed two players on the second team. Three Ankeny Christian Academy players were honored in Class 1A. The Jaguars were represented on the first team by junior pitcher Joey Oakie, senior … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawks, Eagles earn all-district honors from Baseball Coaches Assoc.
Centennial foursome, Ankeny’s Watson named to CIML Conference first team
Ankeny senior catcher Max Watson has joined four players from the Ankeny Centennial baseball team on the CIML Conference first team by a vote of the league's coaches. The Jaguars were represented on the squad by junior pitcher Joey Oakie, senior pitcher Easton Pratt, senior catcher Nick Severson and senior infielder Damin Churchman. That foursome led … [Read more...] about Centennial foursome, Ankeny’s Watson named to CIML Conference first team
‘It was a special night for Dowling’: Marso, Maroons top Ankeny in substate final
Due to heavy rains overnight, the Dowling Catholic baseball team lost its home-field advantage against Ankeny in a Class 4A substate final on Wednesday. The game was moved to a neutral site at Simpson College in Indianola, but the Maroons felt right at home on the infield turf. Seventh-ranked Dowling got a masterful pitching performance from Kaden … [Read more...] about ‘It was a special night for Dowling’: Marso, Maroons top Ankeny in substate final
DOUBLE TROUBLE: Griess, Sandvig lead Hawks to substate rout over Ottumwa
It didn't take long for Alex Griess and Ben Sandvig to set the tone Monday for the Ankeny baseball team. Griess quickly retired the first three batters of the game, Sandvig then hit the first of his three doubles to ignite a seven-run outburst in the bottom of the first, and the Hawks went on to beat visiting Ottumwa, 13-0, in five innings in a Class 4A … [Read more...] about DOUBLE TROUBLE: Griess, Sandvig lead Hawks to substate rout over Ottumwa
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Brock Adamson, Ankeny baseball
Senior Brock Adamson tossed a four-hitter and had five strikeouts to lead the Ankeny baseball team to a 3-1 victory over visiting Norwalk in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Friday. He allowed just one unearned run, lowering his ERA to 2.37, as the Hawks improved to 20-19 on the season. Adamson, an Ellsworth Community College recruit, has compiled an … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Brock Adamson, Ankeny baseball
Hawks oust Norwalk behind Adamson’s four-hitter, will host Ottumwa Monday
On three occasions during the regular season, the Ankeny baseball team got a win from senior lefthander Brock Adamson to bounce back from a loss. Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz handed the ball to Adamson on Friday after the Hawks closed out the regular season with back-to-back losses earlier this week. Adamson responded with another gem, tossing a … [Read more...] about Hawks oust Norwalk behind Adamson’s four-hitter, will host Ottumwa Monday