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
Summer
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
‘The junior college route was right for me’: Ankeny’s Watson chooses Ellsworth
Ankeny catcher Max Watson could have followed in the footsteps of his brother Mo. Instead, he'll be joining one of his current Ankeny baseball teammates on the junior college level. Watson has verbally committed to play for Ellsworth Community College. Ankeny pitcher Brock Adamson has also committed to the Panthers. "Brock, who is one of my fest … [Read more...] about ‘The junior college route was right for me’: Ankeny’s Watson chooses Ellsworth
Ankeny’s Rusher commits to Creighton, cites ‘unparalleled opportunities’
Abby Rusher is the latest Ankeny softball player to make a verbal commitment. The junior pitcher announced on Twitter Tuesday that she has decided to play for Creighton. "I am so excited to announce that I will be continuing my academic and athletic career at Creighton University," Rusher tweeted. "I am so thankful for my family and teammates that … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Rusher commits to Creighton, cites ‘unparalleled opportunities’
Ankeny’s Adamson to play for Ellsworth, while Sandvig commits to NIACC
Ankeny baseball players Brock Adamson and Ben Sandvig have both elected to continue their careers at the junior college level. Adamson, a lefthanded pitcher, is headed to Ellsworth Community College. Sandvig, an outfielder, will play for North Iowa Area Community College. Both seniors announced their verbal commitments via Twitter on Thursday. "I … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Adamson to play for Ellsworth, while Sandvig commits to NIACC
Clevidence commits to Evansville baseball program as two-way player
Despite playing in only 17 games last season, Ankeny's Jack Clevidence still attracted the attention of college baseball coaches. The junior pitcher and infielder has verbally committed to play for the University of Evansville. He announced his decision on Twitter Monday. "I was talking to some other schools like Western Illinois, South Dakota State, … [Read more...] about Clevidence commits to Evansville baseball program as two-way player
‘Headed to the Island!’: Ankeny’s Winfrey commits to Texas A & M Corpus Christi
Ankeny softball standout Kendra Winfrey will be taking her dual-threat abilities to the Southland Conference. The senior pitcher/slugger has verbally committed to play for Texas A & M Corpus Christi, an NCAA Division I school. She announced her decision via Twitter on Thursday. "Headed to the Island!!" Winfrey tweeted. "Huge thank you to everyone … [Read more...] about ‘Headed to the Island!’: Ankeny’s Winfrey commits to Texas A & M Corpus Christi
‘I’m super excited to play with her again’: Ankeny’s Miller to join Fulk at Indian Hills
Two of the standouts on the 2022 Ankeny softball team will be reunited at Indian Hills Community College in the fall of 2023. Outfielder Eva Fulk is currently on the Warriors' roster after graduating from Ankeny last spring. She initially committed to join Northern Iowa's women's track and field program before deciding to play softball instead. Now, … [Read more...] about ‘I’m super excited to play with her again’: Ankeny’s Miller to join Fulk at Indian Hills
‘Sioux Falls always stood out to me’: Riesberg to play softball for Cougars
Another Ankeny softball player has made her college plans. And a few more could be making their decisions soon. Senior outfielder Rylee Riesberg has committed to play for the University of Sioux Falls. Former Ankeny star Kennedy Thomas is currently a senior on the Cougars' roster. "I looked at several schools, but the University of Sioux Falls … [Read more...] about ‘Sioux Falls always stood out to me’: Riesberg to play softball for Cougars
Ankeny’s Palmer commits to play softball at Iowa Central Community College
Ankeny senior Kennedy Palmer has verbally committed to play softball at Iowa Central Community College. Palmer said the junior college route was the best way for her to go to reach her goals. "Playing for two years and then hopefully being able to go to a bigger school is a goal of mine which is why I thought this would be a good fit for me," said … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Palmer commits to play softball at Iowa Central Community College
Ankeny’s Fulk changes her mind, will now play softball at Indian Hills
It turns out that Eva Fulk's softball career isn't over after all. Fulk, who had earlier committed to join the Northern Iowa women's track and field program, has now decided to play softball in college. The Ankeny High School graduate will play for Indian Hills Community College. Indian Hills announced the addition of Fulk to its 2022 recruiting class … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Fulk changes her mind, will now play softball at Indian Hills
Centennial’s Churchman named to IHSBCA’s All-State “Super Team”
The Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association has announced its all-state teams. Five Ankeny Centennial players were honored, including junior second baseman Damin Churchman, who was one of 16 players named to the 2022 All-State "Super Team". Joey Oakie, Kyle Miller, Nick Severson and Cole Grider also earned all-state honors for the Jaguars, while … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Churchman named to IHSBCA’s All-State “Super Team”
Centennial quartet earns all-state honors along with Ankeny, ACA duos
Four players from Ankeny Centennial and two each from Ankeny and Ankeny Christian Academy have received all-state honors from IAbaseball. Centennial sophomore Joey Oakie was named to the Class 4A first team as a utility player. He went 3-3 with a 1.92 ERA as a pitcher while batting .347 with one home run and 21 RBIs. Ankeny placed a pair of players on … [Read more...] about Centennial quartet earns all-state honors along with Ankeny, ACA duos
Ankeny’s Fulk named to Class 5A all-state first team by Coaches Association
Ankeny graduate Eva Fulk is about to begin her collegiate track career at the University of Northern Iowa. Her high school softball career didn't end, however, without one more postseason honor. The senior outfielder has been named to the Class 5A all-state first team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Five other players from Ankeny and Ankeny … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Fulk named to Class 5A all-state first team by Coaches Association
‘It instantly felt like home’: Lowe commits to play softball at Northern State
Alysa Lowe's search for a college softball program didn't last long. Ankeny's junior third baseman verbally committed on Monday to play for Northern State, beginning in the fall of 2023. She announced her decision on Twitter. "I had attended a couple softball camps and just started my college search when I came across Northern State," Lowe said later. … [Read more...] about ‘It instantly felt like home’: Lowe commits to play softball at Northern State