Senior pitcher and first baseman Weston Fulk has helped lead the second-ranked Ankeny baseball team to a 31-6 record. The Hawks will take an 18-game winning streak into Thursday's Class 4A quarterfinal against No. 7 Waukee (26-15) at Duane Banks Field in Iowa City. Fulk is batting .500 on the season and leads the state with 129 total bases. He is tied for … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Weston Fulk, Ankeny baseball
Baseball
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 146
Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz and junior catcher Tamden Webb-Tate preview next week's state baseball tournament in the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America. Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm also breaks down the state softball tournament with junior first baseman Lizzy Klunder and coach Brett Delaney of … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 146
‘It feels awesome’: Brecht, Hawks are headed to Iowa City for 4A tournament
It took the Ankeny baseball team a few innings to figure out Valley pitcher Oliver Parizek on Wednesday night. But once the Hawks did, they cruised to another state tournament berth. Brody Brecht tossed a three-hitter and had 14 strikeouts as second-ranked Ankeny posted a 3-1 victory over the visiting Tigers in a Class 4A substate final. "It feels … [Read more...] about ‘It feels awesome’: Brecht, Hawks are headed to Iowa City for 4A tournament
Hawks advance to state baseball tournament for third consecutive year
The Ankeny baseball team is headed to the Class 4A state tournament for the third consecutive year. Brody Brecht tossed a three-hitter and had 14 strikeouts, Colin Riggs hit a huge two-run double, and the second-ranked Hawks posted a 3-1 victory over visiting Valley in a Class 4A substate final on Wednesday. The Tigers finished the season with a 19-20 … [Read more...] about Hawks advance to state baseball tournament for third consecutive year
Hawks begin their quest for Class 4A crown with 16-0 victory over North
Ankeny pitcher Will Johnson picked up the easiest win of his high school baseball career on Friday night. The senior righthander retired all three Des Moines North batters that he faced in the top of the first inning, then took the rest of the night off after throwing just 11 pitches when his teammates erupted for 13 runs in the bottom of the … [Read more...] about Hawks begin their quest for Class 4A crown with 16-0 victory over North
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 145
Ankeny seniors Colin Riggs and Kade Somers join Ankeny Centennial freshman Joey Oakie in discussing the upcoming substate baseball tournaments on the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America. Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm also previews the state softball tournament with Centennial pitcher Sam Klug and … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 145
Bauer hits blast, Brecht continues his shutout streak in Hawks’ win at Waukee
The Ankeny baseball team hasn't been challenged very often this season, especially in the last six weeks. Tuesday's non-conference game at Waukee showed that the second-ranked Hawks can win a close game under pressure. Jase Bauer homered for the game's only run, Brody Brecht tossed another masterpiece, and Ankeny closed out the regular season with a … [Read more...] about Bauer hits blast, Brecht continues his shutout streak in Hawks’ win at Waukee
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Easton Dunwoody, Ankeny baseball
Junior pitcher Easton Dunwoody has helped the second-ranked Ankeny baseball team to a 29-6 record. The Hawks closed out the regular season on Tuesday with a 1-0 victory at No. 9 Waukee, their 26th win in the last 27 games. Dunwoody has appeared in eight games, compiling a 0.84 ERA in his 8 1/3 innings on the mound. Opposing batters are hitting just .188 … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Easton Dunwoody, Ankeny baseball
What the Fulk? Southpaw throws perfect 6-inning game in Hawks’ 10-0 victory
A week ago, Ankeny pitcher Brody Brecht tossed a no-hitter and tied a school record with 17 strikeouts in a victory over Ames. On Monday, fellow senior Weston Fulk did the unthinkable--he may have topped Brecht's performance. Fulk threw a perfect game and struck out 12 of the 18 batters that he faced as second-ranked Ankeny rolled to a 10-0 win over … [Read more...] about What the Fulk? Southpaw throws perfect 6-inning game in Hawks’ 10-0 victory
After being passed over in MLB draft, Brecht likely to play 2 sports at Iowa
It appears that Ankeny baseball star Brody Brecht will not be turning pro. The flame-throwing pitcher was not selected in the first 10 rounds of the 2021 MLB amateur draft on Sunday and Monday, which means that he will likely honor his commitment to play football and baseball at Iowa. Brecht has compiled a 7-0 record with a 0.68 ERA this season. … [Read more...] about After being passed over in MLB draft, Brecht likely to play 2 sports at Iowa
Hawks snap Roosevelt’s 17-game winning streak behind Fulk’s homer, 1-hitter
Weston Fulk's historic season at the plate continued on Wednesday as the Ankeny baseball team rolled to a 12-0 victory at Des Moines Roosevelt in five innings to snap the Roughriders' 17-game winning streak. Fulk went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs as the second-ranked Hawks won for the 23rd time in their last 24 games, raising their record to … [Read more...] about Hawks snap Roosevelt’s 17-game winning streak behind Fulk’s homer, 1-hitter
Hawks to host North, Jaguars to play at Roosevelt in 4A substate quarterfinals
The Ankeny baseball team will start the postseason at home. Crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial will have to hit the road. The Class 4A substate pairings were announced by the Iowa High School Athletic Association on Wednesday. Second-ranked Ankeny (25-6) is the top seed in Substate 1, while Centennial (18-15) is the No. 4 seed in Substate 7. The … [Read more...] about Hawks to host North, Jaguars to play at Roosevelt in 4A substate quarterfinals
SIGNATURE GAME: Brecht fans 17, tosses no-hitter in final start before MLB draft
Jase Bauer almost felt sorry for his opponents after the Ankeny baseball team defeated visiting Ames, 15-5, in five innings in the first game of a doubleheader on Tuesday. "I was telling someone after we 10-runned these guys and Will (Johnson) pitched a gem and we've got Brody (Brecht) coming out for the second game, that's got to be demoralizing for … [Read more...] about SIGNATURE GAME: Brecht fans 17, tosses no-hitter in final start before MLB draft
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 144
Ankeny baseball star Brody Brecht, who is preparing for the MLB amateur draft, joins softball players Madeleine Murphy of Ankeny and Anna Christiansen of Ankeny Centennial as the guests on the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 144
‘We’re just competing every game’: Hawks bash their way to another sweep
The Ankeny baseball team took care of business quickly against an overmatched opponent on Wednesday. The third-ranked Hawks traveled to Marshalltown for a CIML Iowa Conference doubleheader and routed the Bobcats twice, posting a 12-0 victory in five innings and a 17-2 win in four innings. "We're just competing every game," said Ankeny catcher Tamden … [Read more...] about ‘We’re just competing every game’: Hawks bash their way to another sweep
‘I just smiled from ear to ear’: Brecht named Gatorade Iowa Player of the Year
Ankeny baseball star Brody Brecht woke up on Tuesday to a text message from his head coach, Joe Balvanz. "It said 'Congrats' and I opened it, and it was a link to the Gatorade POY," Brecht said. "I just smiled from ear to ear and was super honored to have been chosen. I thanked God and then got ready for practice." Brecht, a senior pitcher and … [Read more...] about ‘I just smiled from ear to ear’: Brecht named Gatorade Iowa Player of the Year
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 143
Softball stars Ella Schulz of Ankeny Centennial and Marina Carter of Ankeny join baseball standouts Weston Fulk of Ankeny and Jackson Powell of Centennial, along with realtor Tom Butler, as the guests on the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 143
Hawks sweep Centennial again, clinch outright CIML Iowa Conference crown
Even though Brody Brecht didn't take the mound on Monday night, the Ankeny baseball team still had more than enough talented arms to wrap up the CIML Iowa Conference championship. Weston Fulk tossed a one-hitter and had 11 strikeouts as the third-ranked Hawks rolled to a 10-0 victory over visiting Ankeny Centennial in six innings in the first game of a … [Read more...] about Hawks sweep Centennial again, clinch outright CIML Iowa Conference crown
Hawks roll past Bettendorf, reach double digits in runs for 12th time this season
When the Ankeny baseball team scores 10 or more runs, the Hawks are virtually unbeatable. Fourth-ranked Ankeny pounded out 11 hits and rolled to a 12-4 victory over Bettendorf in the Brent Prange Classic on Saturday at Valley. The game was moved from Ankeny due to rain, which later wiped out another game against Sioux City Heelan. The Hawks (19-6) … [Read more...] about Hawks roll past Bettendorf, reach double digits in runs for 12th time this season
Ankeny placed in Class 4A Substate 1, while Centennial is in Substate 7
The Class 4A substate baseball assignments have been announced by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. Fourth-ranked Ankeny (18-6) has been placed in Substate 1 along with Des Moines North (0-22), Sioux City East (22-4), Sioux City North (7-21), Sioux City West (10-13) and Valley (12-12). The Hawks, who placed second in Class 4A a year ago, are … [Read more...] about Ankeny placed in Class 4A Substate 1, while Centennial is in Substate 7