The Ankeny softball team had a lot to play for on Wednesday against defending state champion Fort Dodge. But so did the third-ranked Dodgers. Fort Dodge won both games of a doubleheader at No. 9 Ankeny to keep its CIML Iowa Conference title hopes alive. The Dodgers posted an 8-2 victory in the opener, then completed the sweep with an 11-0 win in five … [Read more...] about Ankeny looks to regroup after Dodgers sweep twinbill to keep title hopes alive
Summer
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
Hawkettes sweep Marshalltown again, will face Fort Dodge, Centennial next
The ninth-ranked Ankeny softball team took care of business on Monday against visiting Marshalltown, sweeping a CIML Iowa Conference doubleheader in just seven combined innings. The Hawkettes rolled to a 12-0 win in three innings in the opener. They then completed a sweep over the struggling Bobcats with a 15-3 triumph in four innings. "I think anytime … [Read more...] about Hawkettes sweep Marshalltown again, will face Fort Dodge, Centennial next
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 188
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm interviews assistant coach Sarah Saladino and senior pitcher Ashtyn Billings of the Ankeny softball team along with head coach Craig Dueker and sophomore star Eli Christensen of the Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 188
Hawkettes finish 4-0 at Prange Classic, surpass win total from last 3 seasons
With two more wins on Saturday in the Brent Prange Classic, the Ankeny softball team has now surpassed its victory total from each of the previous three seasons. The ninth-ranked Hawkettes, who went 4-0 in the tournament, are now 23-8 overall. They won 21 games last year, 19 in 2020 and 20 in 2019 under coach Dave Bingham. "It's always nice to win … [Read more...] about Hawkettes finish 4-0 at Prange Classic, surpass win total from last 3 seasons
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
Hawkettes split at Ames, move ahead of Centennial and into 3rd place
One of the oldest cliches in sports is that it's difficult to beat the same team three times. It's even more difficult to beat the same opponent five times. The Ankeny softball team discovered that reality on Wednesday, when the 14th-ranked Hawkettes split a doubleheader at No. 12 Ames. Ankeny posted a 7-2 victory in the opener for its fourth … [Read more...] about Hawkettes split at Ames, move ahead of Centennial and into 3rd place
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
Hawkettes sweep Mason City, move into 3rd-place tie with Centennial in league
It might be too late for the Ankeny softball team to contend for the CIML Iowa Conference title. But the 14th-ranked Hawkettes could still finish ahead of their crosstown rival. Ankeny won both games of a doubleheader on Monday at Mason City, 4-0 and 13-0 in four innings, to move into a third-place tie in the league with No. 5 Ankeny Centennial--which … [Read more...] about Hawkettes sweep Mason City, move into 3rd-place tie with Centennial in league
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
‘It was good to see us bounce back’: Hawkettes earn split against No. 1 NW
After suffering its worst loss of the season, the Ankeny softball team rebounded on Thursday with a victory over the No. 1 squad in Class 5A. The 14th-ranked Hawkettes snapped Waukee Northwest's 11-game winning streak with a 6-4 triumph in the second game of a doubleheader at Ankeny. The Wolves had allowed just nine runs in their previous 11 contests … [Read more...] about ‘It was good to see us bounce back’: Hawkettes earn split against No. 1 NW
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
Hawkettes top Fort Dodge in 9 innings before Dodgers snap AHS winning streak
The Ankeny softball team's winning streak finally came to an end on Monday night. But not until after the 15th-ranked Hawkettes proved that they can play with one of the state's best squads. Ankeny posted a 2-1 victory at No. 4 Fort Dodge in nine innings before the Dodgers rebounded to win the nightcap of a doubleheader, 9-4. That loss ended the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes top Fort Dodge in 9 innings before Dodgers snap AHS winning streak
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
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Mariah Parton, Ankeny softball
Senior outfielder Mariah Parton has helped the 15th-ranked Ankeny softball team to an 11-4 record. She is batting .478 with a team-high 22 RBIs and has stolen 12 bases in 13 attempts. Parton went 2-for-3, stole four bases and scored three runs in Ankeny's 4-3 win over Mount Ayr in the John Stevens Classic on Saturday at Creston. She was named the team's … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Mariah Parton, Ankeny softball