A rough start resulted in a season-ending loss for the Ankeny baseball team on Monday. Visiting Indianola jumped out to a 7-4 lead in the first two innings and went on to defeat the Hawks, 8-5, in a Class 4A substate semifinal. The Indians (25-12) advanced to Wednesday's substate final at 10th-ranked Urbandale (25-14). "They competed all night, and I … [Read more...] about Indianola’s fast start proves to be too much for Hawks to overcome in 8-5 loss
Baseball
Hawks roll past East in substate opener, will host Indianola on Monday
Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz wanted his team to get off to a fast start. The Hawks did exactly that and then some. Ankeny scored six runs in the first inning, three more in the second and went on to defeat visiting Des Moines East, 13-3, in five innings in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Friday. "Those early runs took the pressure off," … [Read more...] about Hawks roll past East in substate opener, will host Indianola on Monday
Hawks close out regular season with 3-2 loss at Dallas Center-Grimes
The Ankeny baseball team could afford a loss on Wednesday. That won't be the case on Friday. The Hawks closed out the regular season with a 3-2 loss at Dallas Center-Grimes in a non-conference game. Their overall record dropped to 22-13. The Mustangs improved to 21-14 with their sixth straight victory. "We need to play better," said Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about Hawks close out regular season with 3-2 loss at Dallas Center-Grimes
Patton homers against his former team, but Roosevelt rallies for 9-3 victory
Ankeny's Jamison Patton hit a go-ahead two-run homer on Friday against his former teammates on the Des Moines Roosevelt baseball team. Unfortunately, the Hawks couldn't hold on to the lead in the non-conference game. The Roughriders scored a run in the fourth inning to pull within 3-2, then erupted for seven more in the seventh to post a 9-3 victory. … [Read more...] about Patton homers against his former team, but Roosevelt rallies for 9-3 victory
A FLIP FOR JOY: Hawks rally past rival Centennial, clinch Iowa Conference title
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team was one out away from taking control of the CIML Iowa Conference race. Ankeny batter Carson Agan had other ideas. The junior third baseman blasted a three-run double to cap a four-run rally in the seventh inning, giving the visiting Hawks a 7-5 victory at fifth-ranked Centennial in the nightcap of Thursday's … [Read more...] about A FLIP FOR JOY: Hawks rally past rival Centennial, clinch Iowa Conference title
Hawks score 42 runs in twinbill sweep, take over Iowa Conference lead
The Ankeny baseball team moved into sole possession of first place in the CIML Iowa Conference with a convincing sweep over visiting Marshalltown on Monday. After posting a 14-5 win in the first game of the doubleheader, the Hawks romped to a 28-2 victory in four innings in the nightcap. They scored 11 runs in the first inning, seven in the second and 10 … [Read more...] about Hawks score 42 runs in twinbill sweep, take over Iowa Conference lead
Hawks likely headed for No. 2 seed in Substate 7 after going 1-1 on Saturday
Every win is critical for the Ankeny baseball team as the eighth-ranked Hawks battle No. 6 Urbandale for the top seed in Class 4A Substate 7. That's why Ankeny's 9-8 loss to North Scott in the Brent Prange Classic on Saturday could be damaging for the Hawks, who jumped out to an early 7-0 lead only to see it slip away. Ankeny is now 17-10 on the … [Read more...] about Hawks likely headed for No. 2 seed in Substate 7 after going 1-1 on Saturday
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Thomas DeBrower, Ankeny baseball
Senior outfielder Thomas DeBrower has helped the eighth-ranked Ankeny baseball team to a 17-10 record. DeBrower is batting .333 with six doubles, a triple and 15 RBIs. He leads the Hawks with 32 runs scored and 17 stolen bases. Here is some inside info on DeBrower: How is the season going thus far? The season has been great. We have a lot of new … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Thomas DeBrower, Ankeny baseball
Hawks rout Ames in 5 innings before Little Cyclones win nightcap to earn split
After watching his team drop the second game of a doubleheader on Wednesday at Ames, Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz tried to look on the bright side. "I wanted two (wins) there tonight, but I will take a split and playing well against a good arm," Balvanz said. "Facing a kid like (Ben) Amador is only going to help us in the postseason." Amador … [Read more...] about Hawks rout Ames in 5 innings before Little Cyclones win nightcap to earn split
Hawks hold off Mason City to complete sweep, remain atop league standings
It wasn't easy, but the Ankeny baseball team held off host Mason City to sweep a doubleheader on Monday and maintain sole possession of first place in the CIML Iowa Conference. The eighth-ranked Hawks scored three runs in the seventh inning to post a 6-3 victory in the opener, then built an early 12-0 lead en route to a 14-10 win in the nightcap that … [Read more...] about Hawks hold off Mason City to complete sweep, remain atop league standings
Hawks overcome 4-0 deficit, beat Davenport North at Tim Heggen Classic
The Ankeny baseball team rallied from an early 4-0 deficit to beat Davenport North, 6-4, in the Tim Heggen Classic on Saturday at Ankeny Centennial. After North scored three runs in the top of the second inning to make it 4-0, the 10th-ranked Hawks answered with a run in the bottom of the frame. They scored two in the third and one in the fourth to tie it … [Read more...] about Hawks overcome 4-0 deficit, beat Davenport North at Tim Heggen Classic
Ankeny sweeps Wolves, moves into first place in CIML Iowa Conference
After winning the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against visiting Waukee Northwest, the Ankeny baseball players weren't going to be satisfied with splitting the twinbill. "We just need to go out there and do the same thing," Ankeny catcher Max Watson said after the 6-3 win. "Brock Adamson's going to be on the mound, and I think it's going to be a … [Read more...] about Ankeny sweeps Wolves, moves into first place in CIML Iowa Conference
Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Easton Dunwoody, Ankeny senior
After losing late lead against Carlisle, Hawks will host Waukee NW Thursday
For the second time this week, the Ankeny baseball team couldn't hold on to a seventh-inning lead. Carlisle rallied for two runs in the top of the seventh to post a 7-6 victory at 10th-ranked Ankeny in a non-conference game on Wednesday. Both squads are now 10-8 on the season. On Monday, the Hawks rallied for six runs in the seventh inning to take an … [Read more...] about After losing late lead against Carlisle, Hawks will host Waukee NW Thursday
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 186
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm recaps the girls' state soccer tournament with assistant coach Peter Rameh of Class 3A state champion Ankeny Centennial and also discusses the start of the baseball season with coach Joe Balvanz and catcher Tamden Webb-Tate of Ankeny. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 186
Hawks salvage split of twinbill at Fort Dodge, drop out of first-place tie
The Ankeny baseball team dropped out of a first-place tie with seventh-ranked Waukee Northwest in the CIML Iowa Conference on Monday, but salvaged a split of a doubleheader at Fort Dodge to remain in the thick of the league race. The No. 10 Hawks posted a 7-1 victory in the nightcap after dropping a 10-8 decision in the opener. They are now 9-3 in the … [Read more...] about Hawks salvage split of twinbill at Fort Dodge, drop out of first-place tie
Hawks rout Marshalltown twice, remain tied for CIML Iowa Conference lead
The Ankeny baseball team remained tied for first place in the CIML Iowa Conference by sweeping a doubleheader on Wednesday at Marshalltown. The Hawks used an eight-run fifth inning to win the opener, 16-5. They then won another five-inning contest, 13-0, to complete the sweep. Ankeny improved to 8-2 in the conference and 9-6 overall. The Hawks are tied … [Read more...] about Hawks rout Marshalltown twice, remain tied for CIML Iowa Conference lead
Griess pitches Hawks to 7-5 victory before Ames rallies to win nightcap
The Ankeny baseball team was hoping to get a sweep against visiting Ames on Monday. The Hawks had to settle for a split. The Little Cyclones used a three-run rally in the sixth inning to post a 7-4 victory in the nightcap of the doubleheader, allowing them to earn a split after Ankeny won the opener, 7-5. "We let a popup fall in with two guys on … [Read more...] about Griess pitches Hawks to 7-5 victory before Ames rallies to win nightcap
Hawks sweep Centennial boys, extend winning streak against rival to 8 games
The Ankeny baseball team entered Thursday's doubleheader against visiting Ankeny Centennial on a two-game losing skid after being swept by second-ranked Dowling Catholic on Wednesday. The Jaguars were riding a three-game winning streak. Both of those trends came to an end. The Hawks continued their recent dominance of Centennial by sweeping the … [Read more...] about Hawks sweep Centennial boys, extend winning streak against rival to 8 games
Dowling Catholic hurlers shut down Hawks while posting 9-1 and 8-0 wins
With a showdown against crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial on tap for Thursday, the Ankeny baseball players can quickly put Wednesday's doubleheader against visiting Dowling Catholic behind them. The second-ranked Maroons dominated the non-conference twinbill, rolling to 9-1 and 8-0 victories. They improved to 8-2 on the season, while Ankeny's record … [Read more...] about Dowling Catholic hurlers shut down Hawks while posting 9-1 and 8-0 wins