Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Summer

Ankeny’s Carter to join Centennial’s Schulz on Minnesota State softball roster

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Last month, the Minnesota State softball program added a talented recruit from Ankeny in the Class of 2021. Now, the Mavericks have added another. Ankeny shortstop Marina Carter has verbally committed to play for Minnesota State, an NCAA Division II program. She follows in the footsteps of Ankeny Centennial catcher Ella Schulz, who committed to the … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Carter to join Centennial’s Schulz on Minnesota State softball roster

Ankeny’s Overturf verbally commits to play softball at Grand View

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Ankeny first baseman Gillian Overturf has decided to stay close to home. The senior has verbally committed to play softball for Grand View University. She picked the Vikings over Luther, Coe and Hope College in Holland, Mich. "I'm really excited to play for Grand View," Overturf said. "It really wasn't a hard choice for me. All the other schools I … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Overturf verbally commits to play softball at Grand View

Ankeny phenom Johnson ranked No. 40 softball prospect in Class of 2024

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Ankeny catcher Cassie Johnson emerged as one of the state's best young softball players during the 2020 season. Now, she's been recognized as one of the top players in the country. Johnson, a freshman, was ranked 40th in a top 100 ranking of the nation's best softball prospects in the Class of 2024. "I am so grateful to everyone that has helped me … [Read more...] about Ankeny phenom Johnson ranked No. 40 softball prospect in Class of 2024

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Dylan Schlee, Ankeny baseball

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Sophomore pitcher Dylan Schlee helped the Ankeny baseball team to a 21-9 record and a second-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament. Schlee compiled a 3-1 record with a 2.90 ERA in a team-high 10 appearances for the Hawks. He walked just three batters while recording 21 strikeouts in 29 innings of work. Schlee recorded the final two outs to earn … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Dylan Schlee, Ankeny baseball

DYNAMIC DUO: Bauer, Brecht named to IHSBCA’s Class 4A all-state first team

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Ankeny's Jase Bauer and Brody Brecht are getting ready for their senior seasons on the football field. The two players, however, are still receiving some postseason baseball honors. Both Bauer and Brecht have been named to the Class 4A all-state first team by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association. Teammate Mo Watson was selected to the … [Read more...] about DYNAMIC DUO: Bauer, Brecht named to IHSBCA’s Class 4A all-state first team

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Eva Fulk, Ankeny softball

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Sophomore outfielder Eva Fulk helped the Ankeny softball team to a 19-11 record this season. She has been named to the CIML Central Conference second team. Fulk posted a .338 average while starting 25 of the 30 games. She had four doubles, one triple and drove in 14 runs. Here is some inside info on Fulk: Congratulations on an outstanding season. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Eva Fulk, Ankeny softball

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kade Somers, Ankeny baseball

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Junior outfielder and first baseman Kade Somers helped the Ankeny baseball team to a 21-9 record and a second-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament. He went 2-for-4 in the Hawks' 11-8 loss to top-ranked Johnston in the championship game on Saturday at Principal Park. Somers batted .343 this season with two doubles, one triple and 16 RBIs. He was a … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kade Somers, Ankeny baseball

‘We just didn’t execute’: Hawks let lead slip away in 4A championship game

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Weston Fulk couldn't help but think about the state title that slipped away. But he was also focusing on winning a championship in 2021. "We know where we could have been," Fulk said after his Ankeny baseball team lost to Johnston, 11-8, in the Class 4A final on Saturday at Principal Park. "We deserved to be in this game--everybody knows it. But I'm … [Read more...] about ‘We just didn’t execute’: Hawks let lead slip away in 4A championship game

Hawks settle for runner-up trophy after Johnston rallies for 11-8 victory

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The Ankeny baseball team was in a position to win the Class 4A state title on Saturday night at Principal Park. The Hawks just couldn't close the deal. Top-ranked Johnston overcame a 7-3 deficit with three runs in the fifth inning and five more in the sixth to rally for an 11-8 victory over No. 2 Ankeny. The Dragons (24-3) won their fifth state … [Read more...] about Hawks settle for runner-up trophy after Johnston rallies for 11-8 victory

Hawks outlast Dubuque Hempstead, will play Johnston for Class 4A crown

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Just a few months after the Ankeny boys' basketball team won the Class 4A state title, the school's baseball squad will have a chance to win a championship of its own. Second-ranked Ankeny advanced to the Class 4A title game with a wild 9-8 victory over No. 4 Dubuque Hempstead in the semifinals on Friday at Principal Park. Ryan Madole scored from third … [Read more...] about Hawks outlast Dubuque Hempstead, will play Johnston for Class 4A crown

Hawks walk off on wild pitch, advance to Class 4A championship game

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The Ankeny baseball team advanced to the Class 4A championship game in dramatic, walk-off fashion. Ryan Madole scored from third base on a wild pitch with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the second-ranked Hawks a wild 9-8 victory over No. 4 Dubuque Hempstead in the semifinals on Friday at Principal Park. Ankeny (21-8) will play No. … [Read more...] about Hawks walk off on wild pitch, advance to Class 4A championship game

STICKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK TO THE PLAN: Brecht fans 16 as Hawks advance

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Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz was tempted to pull his starting pitcher after the Hawks jumped out to a 4-0 lead against Pleasant Valley in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A state tournament on Wednesday night. Brody Brecht was even campaigning to come out of the game, because such a move would have allowed him to potentially return to the mound in … [Read more...] about STICKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK TO THE PLAN: Brecht fans 16 as Hawks advance

Blimpie Sub of the Week: McKayla Doyle, Ankeny softball

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Junior catcher McKayla Doyle helped the Ankeny softball team to a 19-11 record this season. Doyle played in 17 games and made nine starts while backing up the team's No. 1 catcher, Cassie Johnson. She batted .368 with two doubles and four RBIs. "McKayla is unselfish and has showed up and done the work since seventh grade," said Ankeny coach Dave … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: McKayla Doyle, Ankeny softball

‘We’re hitting our stride’: Hawks’ bid for 3rd state title begins with Pleasant Valley

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Weston Fulk knew that this year's Ankeny baseball team had a chance to be special. The second-ranked Hawks are now just three wins away from completing a magical journey. Ankeny is making its second straight appearance in the Class 4A state tournament. The Hawks (19-8) will meet Pleasant Valley (13-11) in the quarterfinals on Wednesday at Principal … [Read more...] about ‘We’re hitting our stride’: Hawks’ bid for 3rd state title begins with Pleasant Valley

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Carter Smith, Ankeny baseball

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Junior second baseman Carter Smith has helped the second-ranked Ankeny baseball team to a 19-8 record. He went 1-for-3 and scored a run as the Hawks posted a 5-0 victory over visiting Council Bluffs Lincoln in a Class 4A substate final on Wednesday. Smith is batting .302 with two doubles, one triple and 15 RBIs. He ranks second on the team with 25 runs … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Carter Smith, Ankeny baseball

Hawks soar back to Principal Park, will face Pleasant Valley in 4A quarterfinals

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Mo Watson isn't taking this abbreviated baseball season for granted. The senior catcher hit an RBI single to ignite second-ranked Ankeny to a 5-0 victory over visiting Council Bluffs Lincoln in a Class 4A substate final on Wednesday. The Hawks (19-8) advanced to next week's state tournament for the second straight year. "It feels awesome," said Watson. … [Read more...] about Hawks soar back to Principal Park, will face Pleasant Valley in 4A quarterfinals