Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Summer

Hawkettes rout C.R. Kennedy behind timely hitting, Rusher’s strong effort

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The Ankeny softball team didn't need a lot of help from its opponent on Saturday. The 11th-ranked Hawkettes got some anyway. Ankeny pounded out nine hits and took advantage of six errors by visiting Cedar Rapids Kennedy to defeat the Cougars, 13-2, in five innings in a Class 5A regional semifinal. "It was awesome," said Ankeny outfielder Eva Fulk, … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rout C.R. Kennedy behind timely hitting, Rusher’s strong effort

Hawks roll past East in substate opener, will host Indianola on Monday

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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

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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

Hawkettes rally for road win at North Polk, finish regular season at 26-12

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The Ankeny softball team got a much-needed victory in its regular-season finale on Saturday. The Hawkettes snapped a four-game losing skid with a 5-3 victory at North Polk in a non-conference game. They improved their record to 26-12. North Polk (15-14) scored two runs in the fifth inning to break a 1-1 tie. Ankeny then rallied for three runs in the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rally for road win at North Polk, finish regular season at 26-12

Patton homers against his former team, but Roosevelt rallies for 9-3 victory

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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

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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

Suarez’s walk-off blast gives Jaguars sweep of season series against Ankeny

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When Ankeny Centennial's Claire Suarez stepped to the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning on Thursday, she was looking to start a game-winning rally. The junior second baseman did a lot more than that. Suarez connected on a two-ball, one-strike pitch for a leadoff homer to left-center field, allowing the sixth-ranked Centennial softball team to … [Read more...] about Suarez’s walk-off blast gives Jaguars sweep of season series against Ankeny

Ankeny looks to regroup after Dodgers sweep twinbill to keep title hopes alive

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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

Hawks score 42 runs in twinbill sweep, take over Iowa Conference lead

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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

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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

Hawkettes finish 4-0 at Prange Classic, surpass win total from last 3 seasons

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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