Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Summer

‘PLAY BALL!’: Gov. Reynolds approves high school summer sports

by

The suspension of high school athletics due to COVID-19 will come to an end next month. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced on Wednesday at her daily press briefing that summer athletic seasons may be conducted for high school baseball and softball following a two-month activities suspension due to the coronavirus. The announcement approved the … [Read more...] about ‘PLAY BALL!’: Gov. Reynolds approves high school summer sports

Ex-Ankeny battery of Voigt, Anderberg to return for 2021 baseball season

by

Greg Anderberg wears No. 7 on his George Washington University baseball uniform. His former Ankeny teammate, Jack Voigt, wears the same number for his squad at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. That isn't the only thing that the duo has in common. Both Anderberg and Voigt played two seasons of junior college baseball before moving on to … [Read more...] about Ex-Ankeny battery of Voigt, Anderberg to return for 2021 baseball season

Ankeny’s Juhl commits to play baseball next year at Simpson College

by

It remains to be seen if the Ankeny baseball team will have a season this summer. At least senior Lucas Juhl knows where he'll be playing next year. Juhl has committed to play for Simpson College. He revealed his decision on Monday via Twitter. "I'm excited to announce my commitment to Simpson College to continue my academic and baseball career," … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Juhl commits to play baseball next year at Simpson College

Brecht earns Preseason all-American honors from Rawlings, Perfect Game

by

Ankeny junior Brody Brecht has received a prestigious honor on the baseball field, even though it appears that football will be his future sport. Brecht, who recently announced that he will choose between scholarship offers from the Iowa and Iowa State football programs, has been named a third team Preseason Underclass all-American as an outfielder. The … [Read more...] about Brecht earns Preseason all-American honors from Rawlings, Perfect Game

Ankeny two-sport star Brecht narrows his list of schools to Iowa, Iowa State

by

Ankeny football and baseball star Brody Brecht has decided to stay close to home. The junior wide receiver and hard-throwing pitcher announced on Twitter Thursday that he has narrowed his list of schools to Iowa and Iowa State. "Appreciate all the schools who have believed in me, but I will be focusing on these two," Brecht tweeted. Iowa's football … [Read more...] about Ankeny two-sport star Brecht narrows his list of schools to Iowa, Iowa State

Ankeny star Rumley named to Register’s 2019 All-Iowa softball team

by

Chalk up another prestigious honor for Ankeny's Jasmine Rumley. The junior infielder has been named to The Des Moines Register's 2019 All-Iowa softball team. She was one of nine players from across the state selected to the Elite team. Rumley, who was also named to the Class 5A team by the Register, led the Hawkettes to a 20-19 record. She batted .493 … [Read more...] about Ankeny star Rumley named to Register’s 2019 All-Iowa softball team

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Cael Boyd, Ankeny baseball

by

Sophomore outfielder Cael Boyd helped the Ankeny baseball team to a 21-18 record this season. The Hawks advanced to the Class 4A state tournament before losing to top-ranked Johnston, 6-0, in the quarterfinals on Wednesday at Principal Park. Boyd batted .342 with six doubles and 16 RBIs. He set a single-season school record with 34 stolen bases. Here … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Cael Boyd, Ankeny baseball

Ankeny’s first state tourney appearance since 2013 ends with 6-0 loss to Dragons

by

Johnston baseball coach Michael Barta wasn't excited about his team's matchup against CIML Central Conference rival Ankeny in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A state tournament at Principal Park. Barta knew the Hawks were a dangerous No. 8 seed. "(Ankeny's Joe) Balvanz is a great coach," Barta said. "They have tremendous talent--(Brody) Brecht shut us … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s first state tourney appearance since 2013 ends with 6-0 loss to Dragons

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Austin Coyne, Ankeny baseball

by

Austin Coyne is a member of the Ankeny baseball team. The senior pitcher has compiled a 1-1 record with one save in 14 appearances. The lefthander leads the Hawks with a 1.70 ERA. "Austin does a great job of leading by example and understanding his role," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. "He has come through in some really tough spots for us on the … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Austin Coyne, Ankeny baseball

Hawks rough up Riders, get no-hitter from Brecht and advance to state

by

Brody Brecht's teammates gave him a five-run cushion before he even took the mound on Wednesday night. Then they just kept adding to the lead. After scoring five runs in the top of the first inning, the Ankeny baseball team added four runs in the second and seven more in the third to support Brecht's four-inning no-hitter as the Hawks rolled to a 16-0 … [Read more...] about Hawks rough up Riders, get no-hitter from Brecht and advance to state

‘We have faith in each other’: Brecht, Spear power Hawks past Mason City

by

The rankings and the seedings--not to mention the records of both teams--suggested that Mason City was a better baseball squad than Ankeny. Monday's Class 4A substate semifinal at Roosevelt Field suggested otherwise. The visiting Hawks broke open a tie game with a four-run fifth inning and went on to defeat 10th-ranked Mason City, 9-2, in a Substate 2 … [Read more...] about ‘We have faith in each other’: Brecht, Spear power Hawks past Mason City

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Chris Spear, Ankeny baseball

by

Senior pitcher Chris Spear has helped the Ankeny baseball team to a 19-17 record. He has compiled a 3-5 mark with a 4.46 ERA and 43 strikeouts. Spear came on in relief to earn his first save of the season on Friday. He got the final three outs as the Hawks defeated visiting Fort Dodge, 6-5, in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal. Here is some inside info … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Chris Spear, Ankeny baseball

Hawks survive and advance, will play at No. 10 Mason City on Monday

by

Survive and advance. That's what the postseason is all about for Chris Spear and the Ankeny baseball team. Spear got the final three outs after replacing Brody Brecht on the mound and the Hawks held on to defeat visiting Fort Dodge, 6-5, in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Friday. "It feels amazing," said Spear, who picked up his first save of … [Read more...] about Hawks survive and advance, will play at No. 10 Mason City on Monday

Rumley, Voigt unanimously named to first team; Three Jags also honored

by

Ankeny softball standout Jasmine Rumley has been named to the CIML Central Conference first team for the second straight year. Rumley, a junior third baseman, was named to an infield position. She batted .493 with 10 home runs, 14 doubles and 36 RBIs while leading the Hawkettes to a 20-19 record. Rumley, who also stole 39 bases in 40 attempts, was … [Read more...] about Rumley, Voigt unanimously named to first team; Three Jags also honored

Hawkettes go toe-to-toe with No. 2 Fort Dodge, but upset bid falls short

by

The Ankeny softball players exited the field at Rogers Sports Complex to a round of applause from their fans on Tuesday night. The Hawkettes didn't get the outcome they wanted in a Class 5A regional final at Fort Dodge, but they proved that they belonged on the same field with one of the state's top teams. Second-ranked Fort Dodge used a three-run … [Read more...] about Hawkettes go toe-to-toe with No. 2 Fort Dodge, but upset bid falls short

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Ashtyn Billings, Ankeny softball

by

Ashtyn Billings is a member of the Ankeny softball team. The freshman pitcher and outfielder helped the Hawkettes to a 20-19 record. She posted a 2-1 mark with a 2.63 ERA while also batting .268 with five RBIs. "Ashtyn is so versatile she seriously could take on any position we asked her to play," said Ankeny coach Dave Bingham. "Her greatest asset … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Ashtyn Billings, Ankeny softball

Hawks pound Hoover twice to close out regular season

by

The Ankeny baseball team closed out the regular season on Monday with a pair of five-inning victories over visiting Des Moines Hoover. The Hawks used a five-run fourth inning to post a 13-0 win in the opener. They then erupted for eight runs in the second inning en route to a 14-0 triumph in the nightcap. The sweep assures Ankeny of finishing the … [Read more...] about Hawks pound Hoover twice to close out regular season

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Zoe Baker, Ankeny softball

by

Senior catcher Zoe Baker doubled twice and drove in a run to help the Ankeny softball team to a 5-0 victory at 14th-ranked Des Moines East in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday. The Hawkettes will play at No. 2 Fort Dodge in the regional final on Tuesday. Baker is batting .325 with three home runs, 11 doubles and a team-high 45 RBIs. She will play … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Zoe Baker, Ankeny softball