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
Baseball
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
Hawks pound out 21 hits en route to pair of run-rule victories over Mason City
The Ankeny baseball team pounded out 21 hits and swept a CIML Iowa Conference doubleheader against visiting Mason City on Tuesday. The Hawks posted an 11-1 victory in six innings in the opener, then completed the sweep with a 15-5 triumph in five innings. They improved to 3-1 in the conference and 4-3 overall, while Mason City's records dropped to 1-3 and … [Read more...] about Hawks pound out 21 hits en route to pair of run-rule victories over Mason City
Patton homers, Dunwoody racks up 8 strikeouts in Hawks’ 4-2 loss at Johnston
A three-run first inning lifted the top-ranked Johnston baseball team to a 4-2 victory over visiting Ankeny on Friday, allowing the Dragons to improve to 9-0 on the season. The non-conference game was a rematch of last year's Class 4A semifinal, which was won by Johnston, 5-0. The Hawks (2-3) were held to five hits by a trio of Johnston pitchers. … [Read more...] about Patton homers, Dunwoody racks up 8 strikeouts in Hawks’ 4-2 loss at Johnston
‘Our guys were gritty’: Hawks outlast Waukee NW in 9 innings, salvage split
The Ankeny baseball team used a late rally to post a 13-8 victory in nine innings on Monday at sixth-ranked Waukee Northwest, allowing the Hawks to salvage a split of the CIML Iowa Conference doubleheader. Ankeny scored three runs in the seventh to tie the game at 6-6 and force extra innings. After both teams scored twice in the eighth, the Hawks erupted … [Read more...] about ‘Our guys were gritty’: Hawks outlast Waukee NW in 9 innings, salvage split
Ankeny baseball team splits twinbill at Pleasant Valley to open season
The Ankeny baseball team opened its season on Wednesday by splitting a non-conference doubleheader at eighth-ranked Pleasant Valley, the defending Class 4A state champion. The Hawks rallied for a 9-8 victory in the opener, then overcame a 6-1 deficit in the nightcap to tie it up before Pleasant Valley (1-2) posted a 9-8 win to salvage a split. "We had … [Read more...] about Ankeny baseball team splits twinbill at Pleasant Valley to open season
‘We have a lot of new faces’: The next era for Ankeny baseball begins Wednesday
A year ago, the Ankeny baseball team pounded many of its opponents with one of the state's best offensive attacks. This year's squad will rely a lot more on the Hawks' pitching staff. Ankeny returns four key pitchers from a team that posted a 32-7 record and won the CIML Iowa Conference title with a perfect 20-0 mark. Seniors Samuel Andrews, Easton … [Read more...] about ‘We have a lot of new faces’: The next era for Ankeny baseball begins Wednesday
‘What stood out about Simpson is the potential’: Schlee to play for Storm
Dylan Schlee has been a valuable member of the Ankeny pitching staff the last two seasons. Next year, he'll be taking his talents to the Simpson baseball program. Schlee has verbally committed to play for the Storm, beginning in the fall of 2022. "They see me as a guy who can come and compete for innings and provide for the team on the mound right … [Read more...] about ‘What stood out about Simpson is the potential’: Schlee to play for Storm
‘I had to trust my gut’: Ankeny slugger Webb-Tate to play baseball at St. Charles
Ankeny senior Tamden Webb-Tate decided to go with his gut feeling. The two-sport standout has verbally committed to play baseball next year at St. Charles Community College in Missouri. "It was a really tough decision as I love both sports," said Webb-Tate, who has also starred on the football field, "but I had to trust my gut and go with what I felt … [Read more...] about ‘I had to trust my gut’: Ankeny slugger Webb-Tate to play baseball at St. Charles
Brecht, Bauer, Fulk earn 1st-team all-state honors; 2 others named to 3rd team
This year's Ankeny baseball team was one of the most talented in the program's history. The Hawks won the CIML Iowa Conference title with a perfect 20-0 record, advanced to the state tournament for the third consecutive year and reeled off a 19-game winning streak before finishing the season at 32-7. Now, a quintet of Ankeny players has received … [Read more...] about Brecht, Bauer, Fulk earn 1st-team all-state honors; 2 others named to 3rd team
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Will Johnson, Ankeny baseball
Senior pitcher Will Johnson helped the Ankeny baseball team to a third consecutive appearance in the Class 4A state tournament. Johnson compiled a 7-1 record with a 1.86 ERA. He recorded 40 strikeouts while allowing just nine walks. Here is some inside info on Johnson: Congratulations on an outstanding season. What was the highlight for … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Will Johnson, Ankeny baseball
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Sam Parkinson, Ankeny baseball
Junior Sam Parkinson helped the Ankeny baseball team to a 32-7 record this season. The Hawks won the CIML Iowa Conference title with a 20-0 mark and advanced to the semifinals of the Class 4A state tournament before dropping a 5-0 decision to Johnston on Friday at Duane Banks Field in Iowa City. Parkinson stole 14 bases in 15 attempts and scored 24 … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Sam Parkinson, Ankeny baseball
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 147
Senior outfielder Cael Boyd and head coach Joe Balvanz of the Ankeny baseball team recap last week's Class 4A 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 talks with Coldwell Banker realtor Tom Butler, who shares some exciting news. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 147
Ankeny star Brecht earns all-academic honors from IHSBCA
Ankeny baseball star Brody Brecht excels off the field, too. Brecht has been named to the 2021 all-academic team by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association. He was a second-team selection. The first team consists of the top 24 players, nominated by their coaches, who demonstrate outstanding academic, moral, and athletic characteristics. The … [Read more...] about Ankeny star Brecht earns all-academic honors from IHSBCA
Hawks place 5 players on Class 4A North Central District first team
Five Ankeny baseball players have been named to the Class 4A North Central District first team by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association. Pitcher Brody Brecht was selected to the 15-player first team along with three other seniors--catcher Colin Riggs, first baseman Weston Fulk and Jase Bauer, who was named to a utility position. Junior third … [Read more...] about Hawks place 5 players on Class 4A North Central District first team