The Ankeny baseball team had a chance to score some early runs during Monday's doubleheader at Waukee. When the Hawks failed to capitalize on the opportunity, they never again had a similar chance to gain some momentum. The seventh-ranked Warriors posted a 2-0 victory in the opener, then completed a sweep with a 9-0 win in the second game. Both teams … [Read more...] about Waukee’s Sorenson, Irvine shut down Hawks en route to sweep
Summer
Hawkettes fall to Atlantic, beat Burlington at Creston tournament
The Ankeny softball team split a pair of games against ranked opponents on Friday at the Creston Invitational. The Hawkettes dropped a 5-4 decision to Atlantic, the No. 8 team in Class 3A. But they posted a 5-3 victory over Burlington, which is ranked 13th in Class 5A with a 19-2 record. Kennedy Thomas (1-0) tossed an eight-hitter in the win over … [Read more...] about Hawkettes fall to Atlantic, beat Burlington at Creston tournament
Jaguars end losing streak, earn split against No. 13 Ankeny
The Ankeny Centennial softball team got a much-needed victory on Thursday night. A former Centennial player helped 13th-ranked Ankeny to a 10-6 win in the first game of a CIML Central Conference doubleheader before the Jaguars rebounded with an 11-4 triumph in the nightcap at Ankeny. The win was Centennial's first against a league opponent and snapped … [Read more...] about Jaguars end losing streak, earn split against No. 13 Ankeny
Casel tosses 3-hitter, leads Hawks to split at Southeast Polk
Ankeny lefthander Will Casel recorded only one strikeout during the first game of a CIML Central Conference baseball doubleheader on Monday at Southeast Polk. But the senior was still very effective. Casel tossed a three-hitter and retired 13 batters on fly balls as the Hawks extended their winning streak to seven games with a 3-2 victory in the opener … [Read more...] about Casel tosses 3-hitter, leads Hawks to split at Southeast Polk
Smith’s RBI double ignites Hawkettes to split against S.E. Polk
Sometimes, it's better to be lucky than good. Ankeny's Regan Smith failed to get down a sacrifice bunt during the seventh inning of a tie softball game on Monday at Southeast Polk. The sophomore catcher then hit an RBI double for the go-ahead run on the next pitch, igniting the 13th-ranked Hawkettes to a 6-5 victory in the first game of a CIML Central … [Read more...] about Smith’s RBI double ignites Hawkettes to split against S.E. Polk
After 6-1 start, Hawkettes look to end state tournament drought
The Ankeny softball team hasn't qualified for the state tournament since 2015, when the Hawkettes placed seventh in Class 5A. This year's squad appears to have the talent to end that drought. "I think our depth has really been building," said Ankeny coach Dave Bingham. "I feel like we're set up for something really special, and I think it's a product … [Read more...] about After 6-1 start, Hawkettes look to end state tournament drought
Maifeld, Rinker hurl back-to-back gems in Hawks’ sweep over Ames
Ankeny pitcher Jayden Maifeld tossed a gem in the first game of a doubleheader against visiting Ames on Thursday. Then teammate Cameron Rinker threw another one in the nightcap, allowing the Hawks to sweep the CIML Central Conference opener. "It's fun to watch those two guys talk to each other. They kind of feed off each other," said Ankeny coach Joe … [Read more...] about Maifeld, Rinker hurl back-to-back gems in Hawks’ sweep over Ames
Hawkettes roll past Clarke for 6th consecutive victory
The Ankeny softball team is on a roll. The 15th-ranked Hawkettes pounded out 16 hits and romped to a 10-3 victory over visiting Clarke (Osceola) in a matchup of 5-1 teams on Thursday at Ankeny. It was the sixth consecutive triumph for Ankeny, which is averaging 11 runs per game during its winning streak. "Overall, it was a good team performance," … [Read more...] about Hawkettes roll past Clarke for 6th consecutive victory
Thomas’ walkoff blast helps Hawkettes to sweep in conference opener
Senior first baseman Kennedy Thomas has been batting in the leadoff position for the Ankeny softball team. On Wednesday, Thomas served as the finisher as well. She smashed a two-run homer in the fourth inning to give the 15th-ranked Hawkettes a 14-1 victory over visiting Ames in the first game of a CIML Central Conference doubleheader. Her blast ended … [Read more...] about Thomas’ walkoff blast helps Hawkettes to sweep in conference opener
Talented trio of freshmen helps Hawks sweep doubleheader at East
The Ankeny baseball team returned to Des Moines East on Wednesday and avenged last year's substate loss to the Scarlets by sweeping a doubleheader, 10-0 and 8-3. The Hawks won the opener in six innings for their first victory of the season. They then completed the sweep to improve their record to 2-3, while East dropped to 1-7. "We played much better … [Read more...] about Talented trio of freshmen helps Hawks sweep doubleheader at East
Hawks boast strong foundation with return of standouts Hill, Maifeld
Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz still has a lot of faith in his team despite the Hawks' 0-3 start. Ankeny posted an 18-22 record a year ago, including a 6-14 mark in the CIML Central Conference. Several key players are back from that team, led by first-team all-conference selections Drew Hill and Jayden Maifeld. "We bring back a lot of experience," … [Read more...] about Hawks boast strong foundation with return of standouts Hill, Maifeld
Hawks waste Rinker’s strong outing in loss to Saydel
It's no secret what the biggest problem is right now for the Ankeny baseball team. The Hawks dropped to 0-3 on the season Thursday with a 4-1 loss to visiting Saydel in a non-conference game. "We've got to figure out how to score some more runs," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz, whose team has been held to a total of three runs in three games. "That's … [Read more...] about Hawks waste Rinker’s strong outing in loss to Saydel
Baker’s blast helps Ankeny bury Bombers
Zoe Baker powered the Ankeny softball team to a 14-0 victory at Ballard of Huxley on Wednesday. Baker went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double and four RBIs. She also scored three times as the Hawkettes raised their record to 3-1. "The ball she hit probably ended up in the Sam's Club parking lot in Ames," Ankeny coach Dave Bingham said of Baker's homer. … [Read more...] about Baker’s blast helps Ankeny bury Bombers
Jacobsen returns to mound, helps Hawkettes to win over Carlisle
The Ankeny softball team pounded out 11 hits and rolled to a 9-1 victory over visiting Carlisle on Tuesday. After giving up an unearned run in the top of the first, Ankeny tied the game in the bottom of the frame. The Hawkettes then took the lead for good with a four-run second inning. The Wildcats dropped to 0-2 after opening the season with a 2-1 … [Read more...] about Jacobsen returns to mound, helps Hawkettes to win over Carlisle
Hawks open season with doubleheader loss at Johnston
The Ankeny baseball team was hoping to open its season at home with a strong performance against a quality opponent. It didn't work out that way. After Monday's doubleheader was moved to Johnston because of a wet field, the Dragons swept both games of the twinbill by scores of 11-2 and 9-0. They completed the sweep with a pitching gem in the nightcap, … [Read more...] about Hawks open season with doubleheader loss at Johnston
Hawkettes earn split against Johnston with huge rally in nightcap
A huge rally allowed the Ankeny softball team to snap a nine-game losing streak against Johnston in the nightcap of a season-opening doubleheader on Monday at Ankeny. The Hawkettes erupted for six runs in the sixth inning to post an 8-7 victory after Johnston won the opener, 3-1. "It was a good win for us," said Ankeny coach Dave Bingham. "We haven't … [Read more...] about Hawkettes earn split against Johnston with huge rally in nightcap