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
Baseball
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
Indianola’s fast start proves to be too much for Hawks to overcome in 8-5 loss
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
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