After dropping a 7-4 decision at Valley in the first game of a doubleheader on Monday, the Ankeny baseball team needed somebody to step up in order to end the Hawks' four-game losing streak. Senior pitcher Alex Griess did just that. The righthander tossed a four-hitter and had six strikeouts to lead Ankeny to a 3-0 victory in the second game of the … [Read more...] about Griess responds to challenge, hurls 4-hit shutout to give Hawks split at Valley
Baseball
Urbandale baseball team uses 13-run 1st inning to defeat Hawks, 21-6
The Ankeny baseball team got off to a good start with a pair of runs in the first inning of Thursday's game at Urbandale. Then the 10th-ranked J-Hawks answered with a 13-run outburst in the bottom of the frame. Urbandale went on to defeat the Hawks, 21-6, in four innings. The J-Hawks ended the game with a four-run fourth inning. Sam Harris, one of … [Read more...] about Urbandale baseball team uses 13-run 1st inning to defeat Hawks, 21-6
Hawks top C.R. Xavier, will take 6-game winning streak into showdown vs. Jags
The Ankeny baseball team is heading into Wednesday's showdown against top-ranked Ankeny Centennial on a six-game winning streak. The Hawks posted a 5-1 victory in a non-conference game on Tuesday at Cedar Rapids Xavier, the No. 4 team in Class 3A. Both squads are now 9-6 on the season. "Xavier's a good team, and it's fun to go over there," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawks top C.R. Xavier, will take 6-game winning streak into showdown vs. Jags
With help from Meyer, Adamson hurls Hawks to 2-1 victory over Waukee NW
With four ranked opponents on the schedule over the next four days, the Ankeny baseball team needed to get the week off to a good start. The Hawks responded with a 2-1 victory over visiting Waukee Northwest on Monday to extend their winning streak to five games. The loss was the ninth in the last 10 games for the Wolves. "We played well enough to win, … [Read more...] about With help from Meyer, Adamson hurls Hawks to 2-1 victory over Waukee NW
Hawks complete sweep of No. 6 S.E. Polk with walk-off win in bottom of 11th inning
Evan Irlmeier raced home with the winning run on an error in the bottom of the 11th inning, and the Ankeny baseball team completed a sweep of Friday's doubleheader against sixth-ranked Southeast Polk with a 4-3 victory. The host Hawks overcame an early 4-0 deficit to win the opener, 10-4. They improved to 3-2 in the CIML Conference and 7-6 overall, while … [Read more...] about Hawks complete sweep of No. 6 S.E. Polk with walk-off win in bottom of 11th inning
Hawks use 6-run 1st inning to defeat Ankeny Christian Academy, 11-1
The Ankeny baseball team scored six runs in the first inning and went on to beat visiting Ankeny Christian Academy, 11-1, in six innings in a non-conference game on Wednesday. The Hawks pounded out 10 hits in the first three innings off ACA ace Eli Christensen. Only four of the eight runs that he allowed were earned. "I was impressed with his tempo, … [Read more...] about Hawks use 6-run 1st inning to defeat Ankeny Christian Academy, 11-1
After falling to North Polk, Ankeny routs Wildcats in 5 innings at Heggen Classic
The Ankeny baseball team rebounded from a 4-1 loss to North Polk with an 11-1 victory over Davenport North in five innings in the Tim Heggen Classic on Saturday at Ankeny. The Hawks pounded out eight hits in the win over Davenport North (2-5). They scored four runs in the first inning, two in the second, one in the third, one in the fourth and three more … [Read more...] about After falling to North Polk, Ankeny routs Wildcats in 5 innings at Heggen Classic
Waukee boys rally past Hawks with 3 runs in bottom of 7th inning
The Waukee baseball team rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to defeat visiting Ankeny, 5-4, in a CIML Conference game on Wednesday. The Warriors rallied after Ankeny scored two runs in the top of the seventh to break a 2-2 tie. They won the game on a walk-off wild pitch. Adam Mein (0-1) took the loss in relief of Zach Halverson, … [Read more...] about Waukee boys rally past Hawks with 3 runs in bottom of 7th inning
Two big innings allow Hawks to post 14-7 victory over Davenport Central
Taking advantage of nine walks and two hit batters, the Ankeny baseball team used two big innings to defeat visiting Davenport Central, 14-7, in a non-conference game on Tuesday. Ankeny (3-4) scored eight runs in the third inning to erase an early 1-0 deficit. After Central clawed its way back to within 8-5 in the top of the sixth, the Hawks answered with … [Read more...] about Two big innings allow Hawks to post 14-7 victory over Davenport Central
‘Win the game within the game’: Big inning helps Hawks split with Dowling
After watching his team suffer an 11-0 loss to seventh-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy on Saturday, Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz tried to simplify some things for the Hawks. That strategy resulted in a doubleheader split against No. 1 Dowling Catholic on Monday. "We've been breaking things down and just trying to win innings. Win the game within the … [Read more...] about ‘Win the game within the game’: Big inning helps Hawks split with Dowling
No. 7 C.R. Kennedy uses 10-run outburst in 1st inning to roll past Ankeny
A 10-run first inning helped the seventh-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy baseball team to an 11-0 victory at Ankeny in five innings on Saturday. The Cougars improved to 5-1 on the season. Ankeny dropped to 1-3. "It was a strange deal," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. "They just hit it where we weren't. They scored five runs before we got an … [Read more...] about No. 7 C.R. Kennedy uses 10-run outburst in 1st inning to roll past Ankeny
Hawks earn split against No. 6 Pleasant Valley with 2-1 victory in nightcap
A season-opening split was just fine with Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz. The Hawks kicked off the 2023 season on Wednesday by splitting a non-conference twinbill against visiting Pleasant Valley, the No. 6 team in Class 4A. After dropping a 5-3 decision in the opener, Ankeny rebounded with a 2-1 win in the nightcap. The Spartans (2-1), who won the … [Read more...] about Hawks earn split against No. 6 Pleasant Valley with 2-1 victory in nightcap
Challenging new CIML awaits two-time defending league champion Hawks
A talented group of seniors will lead the way this season for the Ankeny baseball team. A trio of all-conference players--catcher Max Watson, pitcher Alex Griess and outfielder Ben Sandvig--is back for the Hawks, along with some other key returnees. "The practices have been great this spring," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. "Our seniors have done a … [Read more...] about Challenging new CIML awaits two-time defending league champion Hawks
Ankeny’s Agan to join Adamson, Watson on Ellsworth baseball squad
Another Ankeny baseball player has made his college choice. It's the same decision that two of his teammates already made. Senior third baseman Carson Agan has verbally committed to play for Ellsworth Community College. Pitcher Brock Adamson and catcher Max Watson previously committed to the Panthers. "Knowing Brock and Max are going there wasn't a … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Agan to join Adamson, Watson on Ellsworth baseball squad
‘The junior college route was right for me’: Ankeny’s Watson chooses Ellsworth
Ankeny catcher Max Watson could have followed in the footsteps of his brother Mo. Instead, he'll be joining one of his current Ankeny baseball teammates on the junior college level. Watson has verbally committed to play for Ellsworth Community College. Ankeny pitcher Brock Adamson has also committed to the Panthers. "Brock, who is one of my fest … [Read more...] about ‘The junior college route was right for me’: Ankeny’s Watson chooses Ellsworth
Ankeny’s Adamson to play for Ellsworth, while Sandvig commits to NIACC
Ankeny baseball players Brock Adamson and Ben Sandvig have both elected to continue their careers at the junior college level. Adamson, a lefthanded pitcher, is headed to Ellsworth Community College. Sandvig, an outfielder, will play for North Iowa Area Community College. Both seniors announced their verbal commitments via Twitter on Thursday. "I … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Adamson to play for Ellsworth, while Sandvig commits to NIACC
Clevidence commits to Evansville baseball program as two-way player
Despite playing in only 17 games last season, Ankeny's Jack Clevidence still attracted the attention of college baseball coaches. The junior pitcher and infielder has verbally committed to play for the University of Evansville. He announced his decision on Twitter Monday. "I was talking to some other schools like Western Illinois, South Dakota State, … [Read more...] about Clevidence commits to Evansville baseball program as two-way player
Centennial’s Churchman named to IHSBCA’s All-State “Super Team”
The Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association has announced its all-state teams. Five Ankeny Centennial players were honored, including junior second baseman Damin Churchman, who was one of 16 players named to the 2022 All-State "Super Team". Joey Oakie, Kyle Miller, Nick Severson and Cole Grider also earned all-state honors for the Jaguars, while … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Churchman named to IHSBCA’s All-State “Super Team”
Centennial quartet earns all-state honors along with Ankeny, ACA duos
Four players from Ankeny Centennial and two each from Ankeny and Ankeny Christian Academy have received all-state honors from IAbaseball. Centennial sophomore Joey Oakie was named to the Class 4A first team as a utility player. He went 3-3 with a 1.92 ERA as a pitcher while batting .347 with one home run and 21 RBIs. Ankeny placed a pair of players on … [Read more...] about Centennial quartet earns all-state honors along with Ankeny, ACA duos
Five Jaguars, two Hawks, three Eagles earn all-district baseball honors
Five Ankeny Centennial baseball players have received all-district honors from the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association along with two from Ankeny and three more from Ankeny Christian Academy. The Jaguars placed junior catcher Nick Severson, junior second baseman Damin Churchman, junior third baseman Kyle Miller and sophomore utility player Joey … [Read more...] about Five Jaguars, two Hawks, three Eagles earn all-district baseball honors