Shortstop Mariah Belzer and the Ankeny Centennial softball team were fired up to avenge their only loss of the season. Belzer went 4-for-4 and hit a two-run homer as the seventh-ranked Jaguars rolled to a 7-1 victory at No. 6 Ankeny in the second game of a doubleheader on Wednesday, completing a sweep of the Hawkettes. Ankeny had posted a 6-0 win over … [Read more...] about ‘We were a lot more ready’: Belzer, Jaguars avenge only loss, sweep Ankeny
Summer
Hawks top C.R. Xavier, will take 6-game winning streak into showdown vs. Jags
The Ankeny baseball team is heading into Wednesday's showdown against top-ranked Ankeny Centennial on a six-game winning streak. The Hawks posted a 5-1 victory in a non-conference game on Tuesday at Cedar Rapids Xavier, the No. 4 team in Class 3A. Both squads are now 9-6 on the season. "Xavier's a good team, and it's fun to go over there," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawks top C.R. Xavier, will take 6-game winning streak into showdown vs. Jags
With help from Meyer, Adamson hurls Hawks to 2-1 victory over Waukee NW
With four ranked opponents on the schedule over the next four days, the Ankeny baseball team needed to get the week off to a good start. The Hawks responded with a 2-1 victory over visiting Waukee Northwest on Monday to extend their winning streak to five games. The loss was the ninth in the last 10 games for the Wolves. "We played well enough to win, … [Read more...] about With help from Meyer, Adamson hurls Hawks to 2-1 victory over Waukee NW
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Cassie Johnson, Ankeny softball
Junior catcher and outfielder Cassie Johnson has helped lead the Ankeny softball team to a 9-2 record and a No. 6 ranking in Class 5A. She is batting .559 with 19 RBIs and ranks third among the state's leaders with six home runs. On Friday, Johnson had a pair of walk-off hits in the eighth inning as the Hawkettes swept a doubleheader against visiting … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Cassie Johnson, Ankeny softball
‘It felt like a special place’: Johnson blasts two walk-off hits; Ankeny sweeps Rams
Perhaps Dick Rasmussen was smiling from above at the end of Friday's doubleheader that was played on the softball field named after him. Sixth-ranked Ankeny got a pair of walk-off hits from Cassie Johnson to beat No. 3 Southeast Polk, 6-5 and 8-7, in a CIML Conference twinbill. Both game-winning hits came in the bottom of the eighth inning. Johnson was … [Read more...] about ‘It felt like a special place’: Johnson blasts two walk-off hits; Ankeny sweeps Rams
Hawks complete sweep of No. 6 S.E. Polk with walk-off win in bottom of 11th inning
Evan Irlmeier raced home with the winning run on an error in the bottom of the 11th inning, and the Ankeny baseball team completed a sweep of Friday's doubleheader against sixth-ranked Southeast Polk with a 4-3 victory. The host Hawks overcame an early 4-0 deficit to win the opener, 10-4. They improved to 3-2 in the CIML Conference and 7-6 overall, while … [Read more...] about Hawks complete sweep of No. 6 S.E. Polk with walk-off win in bottom of 11th inning
Hawkettes split twinbill with Johnston, move up to No. 6 in latest 5A rankings
After resuming Tuesday's suspended doubleheader against visiting Johnston, the Ankeny softball team settled for a split of the twinbill on Wednesday. The ninth-ranked Hawkettes held on for a 7-5 victory in the opener before No. 8 Johnston salvaged a split with a 5-3 win in the nightcap. Ankeny pitcher Abby Rusher went 2-for-3 and got the decision in both … [Read more...] about Hawkettes split twinbill with Johnston, move up to No. 6 in latest 5A rankings
Hawks use 6-run 1st inning to defeat Ankeny Christian Academy, 11-1
The Ankeny baseball team scored six runs in the first inning and went on to beat visiting Ankeny Christian Academy, 11-1, in six innings in a non-conference game on Wednesday. The Hawks pounded out 10 hits in the first three innings off ACA ace Eli Christensen. Only four of the eight runs that he allowed were earned. "I was impressed with his tempo, … [Read more...] about Hawks use 6-run 1st inning to defeat Ankeny Christian Academy, 11-1
After falling to North Polk, Ankeny routs Wildcats in 5 innings at Heggen Classic
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
Rusher hurls Hawkettes past Centennial in title game of Johnston Classic
The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial softball teams are slated to meet in a top-10 showdown on June 7 at Ankeny. The two squads got a preview of that matchup on Friday, when they collided in the championship game of the Johnston Classic. Abby Rusher tossed a four-hitter and had five strikeouts to lead the ninth-ranked Hawkettes to a 6-0 victory over No. 6 … [Read more...] about Rusher hurls Hawkettes past Centennial in title game of Johnston Classic
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
Hawkettes open season with impressive sweep over Dowling Catholic
It didn't take long for Cassie Johnson to make an impact upon her return to the Ankeny softball team. Johnson homered during a seven-run first inning and the ninth-ranked Hawkettes opened their season on Monday with an 8-2 victory over visiting Dowling Catholic in the first game of a CIML Conference doubleheader. They then completed the sweep with an 8-1 … [Read more...] about Hawkettes open season with impressive sweep over Dowling Catholic
‘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
Deep, experienced Ankeny team boosted by additions of Johnson, Lewis
The Ankeny softball team was already expected to have a deep and experienced roster. Now, the Hawkettes have been strengthened by the addition of some talented newcomers. Senior Kendra Lewis and junior Cassie Johnson have joined the program after previously focusing on club softball. Lewis has signed a letter of intent with Morehead State, while … [Read more...] about Deep, experienced Ankeny team boosted by additions of Johnson, Lewis
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
Ankeny catcher Enright commits to Iowa Central, will join Palmer on Tritons’ roster
Ankeny catcher Reagan Enright has committed to play softball at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge. Enright joins her teammate Kennedy Palmer, who previously committed to the Tritons. "I liked the coaches at Iowa Central and how welcoming they were!" Enright said. "Also, a goal of mine is to hopefully be able to play at a bigger school after … [Read more...] about Ankeny catcher Enright commits to Iowa Central, will join Palmer on Tritons’ roster