The Ankeny baseball players may have violated one of the social distancing guidelines on Friday. But in the Hawks' defense, they had a good reason to do so. Kade Somers hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning to give second-ranked Ankeny a 2-1 victory over No. 5 Waukee in the first game of a CIML doubleheader. The host Hawks then … [Read more...] about ‘I think we’re going to keep rolling now’: Somers sparks sweep with walk-off hit
Summer
A PERFECT DOZEN: No. 2 Waukee sweeps Hawkettes, improves to 12-0
The Ankeny softball team had a chance to knock off second-ranked Waukee in the first game of Friday's doubleheader at Ankeny. In the second game, the No. 15 Hawkettes never had a chance. Waukee held on for a 2-1 victory in the opener, then completed a sweep with a 16-2 win over the Hawkettes. The Warriors improved to 12-0 on the season, while Ankeny's … [Read more...] about A PERFECT DOZEN: No. 2 Waukee sweeps Hawkettes, improves to 12-0
Hawkettes move into rankings after handing Valley its first loss
Slowly but surely, the Ankeny softball team is beginning to earn some respect. The Hawkettes moved into the Class 5A rankings for the first time this season on Thursday after splitting a doubleheader at No. 6 Valley on Wednesday. They are now ranked 15th with a 9-3 record. Ankeny coach Dave Bingham would have preferred to keep his team out of the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes move into rankings after handing Valley its first loss
Hawks end three-game slide, earn split with 13-6 victory over Valley
With a No. 2 ranking in Class 4A, the Ankeny baseball team entered the season with some high expectations. The Hawks have placed a lot of pressure on themselves to meet those expectations--and haven't always succeeded. Wednesday's doubleheader at Valley may have been a turning point for coach Joe Balvanz and his players. After Ankeny suffered its third … [Read more...] about Hawks end three-game slide, earn split with 13-6 victory over Valley
Hawkettes rout S.E. Polk in nightcap to salvage split of twinbill
For the second time in a week, the Ankeny softball team went on the road Tuesday and split a doubleheader against a ranked opponent. After dropping a 9-4 decision to No. 14 Southeast Polk in the opener, the Hawkettes rebounded to win the nightcap, 11-0, in five innings. They are now 8-2 on the season. "We got after it every inning as a unified force," … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rout S.E. Polk in nightcap to salvage split of twinbill
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Hannah Hogan, Ankeny softball
Junior Hannah Hogan has helped the Ankeny softball team to an 8-2 record. She is batting .125 on the season. Hogan has played in six games and made two starts. She singled and scored a run as the Hawkettes posted an 11-0 victory over No. 14 Southeast Polk in five innings to salvage a split of Tuesday's doubleheader at Pleasant Hill. "She switched … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Hannah Hogan, Ankeny softball
No. 3 S.E. Polk walks off with sweep over No. 2 Hawks
The schedule got a lot tougher for the Ankeny baseball team on Monday night. The second-ranked Hawks discovered that they still have a lot of work to do. Ankeny traveled to No. 3 Southeast Polk for a CIML doubleheader and got swept by the undefeated Rams, 8-1 and 7-6. "They exposed some things that we need to work on," said Ankeny coach Joe … [Read more...] about No. 3 S.E. Polk walks off with sweep over No. 2 Hawks
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 95
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by the Ankeny office of Iowa Realty. Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm discusses the fast starts by both of Ankeny's softball teams with junior infielder Alex Brooks of Ankeny and junior catcher Ella Schulz of Ankeny Centennial. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 95
Hawkettes top S.C. Heelan, edge Central Springs at Fort Dodge Invitational
The Ankeny softball team traveled to the Fort Dodge Invitational on Saturday and came away with a pair of victories. The Hawkettes posted a 10-3 win over SIoux City Heelan. They then followed with a 2-1 triumph over Central Springs, the No. 6 team in Class 2A. "They're both good ball clubs," said Ankeny coach Dave Bingham, whose team improved to 7-1 on … [Read more...] about Hawkettes top S.C. Heelan, edge Central Springs at Fort Dodge Invitational
Rinderknecht tosses 1-hit gem in opener of Hawks’ sweep over Hoover
Bryce Rinderknecht was anxious to get back on the mound following a tough loss on Wednesday. The Ankeny senior got another chance to pitch less than 48 hours later--and he made the most of it. Rinderknecht tossed a one-hitter and had 10 strikeouts to lead the second-ranked Hawks to a 4-0 victory over visiting Des Moines Hoover in the first game of a … [Read more...] about Rinderknecht tosses 1-hit gem in opener of Hawks’ sweep over Hoover
Hawkettes sweep Hoover, improve to 5-1 going into Fort Dodge tourney
With a trip to the Fort Dodge Invitational on tap for Saturday, the Ankeny softball team didn't want to spend a late night at the ballpark on Friday. The Hawkettes managed to sweep a doubleheader against visiting Des Moines Hoover in timely fashion. They posted a 12-2 victory in six innings in the opener, then used a nine-run outburst in the first frame … [Read more...] about Hawkettes sweep Hoover, improve to 5-1 going into Fort Dodge tourney
Ankeny softball team cruises in first game before No. 5 Bulldogs earn split
After winning the first game of a doubleheader on Wednesday at fifth-ranked Ottumwa, the Ankeny softball team appeared to be in position to earn a sweep. The Hawkettes jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the nightcap and had the bases loaded in the fourth inning with Jasmine Rumley, one of the state's top hitters, coming to the plate. This was Ankeny's chance … [Read more...] about Ankeny softball team cruises in first game before No. 5 Bulldogs earn split
Hawks rally past Ottumwa in opener, then Bulldogs return favor in nightcap
Wednesday's doubleheader between the Ankeny and Ottumwa baseball teams featured a pair of five-run rallies in the seventh inning--one by each squad. After the second-ranked Hawks battled back for a 6-3 victory in the opener, the host Bulldogs returned the favor in the nightcap by rallying for an 8-7 win that handed Ankeny (3-1) its first loss of the … [Read more...] about Hawks rally past Ottumwa in opener, then Bulldogs return favor in nightcap
Fulk, Andrews toss back-to-back gems in Ankeny’s sweep over Bobcats
Mo Watson and his teammates on the Ankeny baseball squad are going to relish every minute on the field this summer. The second-ranked Hawks showed off their potential Monday by sweeping a pair of five-inning games in their season opener at Marshalltown. They roughed up the Bobcats by scores of 19-0 and 11-0. "Ever since we got the word that we could … [Read more...] about Fulk, Andrews toss back-to-back gems in Ankeny’s sweep over Bobcats
Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Weston Fulk, Ankeny junior
Hawkettes erupt for 27 runs, open season with sweep at Marshalltown
If the Ankeny softball team continues to play like it did on Monday night, the unranked Hawkettes won't be able to fly under the radar for very long. Ankeny opened its abbreviated 2020 season with an impressive doubleheader sweep at Marshalltown. The Hawkettes rolled to a 14-0 victory in four innings in the opener, then completed the sweep with a 13-1 win … [Read more...] about Hawkettes erupt for 27 runs, open season with sweep at Marshalltown
Talented Ankeny baseball team expects to win ‘night in and night out’
The Ankeny baseball players are just happy to be back on the field. The Hawks will open their season on Monday with a doubleheader at Marshalltown. It's the start of an abbreviated campaign that consists of just 27 games due to the COVID-19 outbreak that forced the cancellation of all spring high school activities. "They understand that this is a … [Read more...] about Talented Ankeny baseball team expects to win ‘night in and night out’
‘Nobody knows what’s coming’: Hawkettes look to surprise opponents
The Ankeny softball team wasn't listed in the Class 5A preseason rankings by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. The Hawkettes' omission brought a smile to the face of head coach Dave Bingham. "I think that is awesome," he said. "Honestly, we've never even discussed the rankings. Our ultimate goal is just to respect our opponents but prepare to … [Read more...] about ‘Nobody knows what’s coming’: Hawkettes look to surprise opponents
Revive Clinic and Spa Coach of the Month: Joe Balvanz, Ankeny baseball
Summer sports athletes preparing for return to field with precautions
Jasmine Rumley wasn't sure if she'd get another chance to wear her Ankeny softball uniform. Now, it appears that she will. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced last week that summer athletic seasons may be conducted for high school baseball and softball following a two-month suspension of activities due to the coronavirus. Practices will begin on June … [Read more...] about Summer sports athletes preparing for return to field with precautions