Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Summer

No. 5 Waukee softball team sweeps Hawkettes to remain unbeaten

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The Ankeny softball team ran into a buzzsaw on Thursday at Waukee. The fifth-ranked Warriors remained unbeaten by sweeping a doubleheader, 9-2 and 7-3. They lifted their record to 11-0 on the season, while Ankeny dropped to 1-5. Waukee is averaging nearly 10 runs per game. "They didn't really pound the ball," Ankeny coach Dave Bingham said of the … [Read more...] about No. 5 Waukee softball team sweeps Hawkettes to remain unbeaten

Hawks ‘turn the page’ after splitting doubleheader against Roosevelt

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Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz doesn't want his players to get too excited after a win. He also doesn't want them to dwell too long on a loss. Wednesday's doubleheader against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt was a perfect example of both of those scenarios. The ninth-ranked Hawks posted an 8-4 victory in the first game of the twinbill. They then … [Read more...] about Hawks ‘turn the page’ after splitting doubleheader against Roosevelt

Hawkettes hold off Dowling for their first win of the season

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The Ankeny softball team finally got the monkey off its back. After losing a late lead in each of their previous three games, the Hawkettes built an 8-2 advantage over visiting Dowling Catholic on Tuesday and then held on to beat the Maroons, 10-6, for their first win of the season. "I think we've been playing some great softball," said Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about Hawkettes hold off Dowling for their first win of the season

Dowling’s Baumler overpowers Hawks, tosses 1-hitter in Maroons’ 3-1 victory

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The Ankeny baseball team didn't have an answer for Dowling Catholic pitcher Carter Baumler. Baumler tossed a one-hitter and had 12 strikeouts to lead the fifth-ranked Maroons to a 3-1 victory at Ankeny in the CIML Central Conference opener for both teams on Monday. The game was shortened to six innings due to rain, and the second game of the doubleheader … [Read more...] about Dowling’s Baumler overpowers Hawks, tosses 1-hitter in Maroons’ 3-1 victory

Hawks romp past Burlington, Davenport North to improve their record to 3-0

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Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz doesn't have much to complain about. The Hawks rolled to a pair of victories in the Tim Heggen Invitational on Saturday at Ankeny Centennial and have now outscored their first three opponents by a 32-1 margin. "It's been an interesting start to the season," said Balvanz. "We played a game (at Saydel on May 23), then we … [Read more...] about Hawks romp past Burlington, Davenport North to improve their record to 3-0

Hawkettes let late lead slip away again in loss to Pella

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For the second game in a row, the Ankeny softball team let a seventh-inning lead slip away. Visiting Pella, the No. 15 team in Class 4A, rallied for three runs in the seventh to post an 8-7 victory on Thursday. The game was a late addition to the schedule after Tuesday's doubleheader at Waukee was rained out. The Hawkettes (0-2) had not played since … [Read more...] about Hawkettes let late lead slip away again in loss to Pella

Boyd sparks Ankeny baseball team to season-opening victory

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Cael Boyd appears to be a perfect fit for the leadoff hitter's role on the Ankeny baseball team. Boyd sparked the Hawks to a 13-0 victory at Saydel in five innings in their season opener on Thursday. The sophomore outfielder went 2-for-2 with a double, walked twice, stole three bases and scored four runs. "Cael did a really nice job of setting the … [Read more...] about Boyd sparks Ankeny baseball team to season-opening victory

Ballard rallies for 5 runs in 7th inning, spoils Hawkettes’ season opener

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When the Ankeny softball team erupted for eight runs in the first inning of Wednesday's game against visiting Ballard, it looked like the Hawkettes were going to roll to a season-opening victory. But the Bombers refused to go away. Ballard scored four runs in the third inning, then rallied for five more in the seventh to post a 10-9 victory. Catcher … [Read more...] about Ballard rallies for 5 runs in 7th inning, spoils Hawkettes’ season opener

Young, talented Hawks look to compete in rugged CIML Central Conference

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If the Ankeny baseball team can be competitive in the CIML Central Conference, then the Hawks will likely be among the top squads in Class 4A. The Central Conference boasts three of the top six teams in the preseason rankings--No. 1 Johnston, No. 5 Dowling Catholic and No. 6 Urbandale. The J-Hawks are the defending state champions. "The league is … [Read more...] about Young, talented Hawks look to compete in rugged CIML Central Conference

All-stater Rumley returns to lead the way for No. 12 Hawkettes

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The Ankeny softball team is ranked 12th in Class 5A in the preseason rankings by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. The return of slugger Jasmine Rumley has a lot to do with that. Rumley recently committed to continue her swimming career at the University of Tennessee. But the junior outfielder is also one of the state's premier softball … [Read more...] about All-stater Rumley returns to lead the way for No. 12 Hawkettes

Ankeny pitcher Fulk commits to play baseball for Hawkeyes

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Ankeny High School's Class of 2021 appears to have multiple college prospects in a variety of sports. One of them has already made his future plans. Sophomore pitcher Weston Fulk has verbally committed to play baseball for Iowa. He chose the Hawkeyes after attending one of their winter evaluation camps. "They had open arms for me," said Fulk. "They … [Read more...] about Ankeny pitcher Fulk commits to play baseball for Hawkeyes

Ankeny’s Maifeld to play in IHSBCA All-Star Games

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Ankeny senior Jayden Maifeld will play for the Large Schools West in the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association All-Star Games on Thursday through Sunday in Iowa City. Each of the four all-star teams will play a round-robin schedule from Thursday through Saturday. The consolation and championship games will then be played on Sunday. Maifeld … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Maifeld to play in IHSBCA All-Star Games

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Seth Harpenau, Ankeny baseball

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Senior Seth Harpenau helped the Ankeny baseball team to a 21-17 record. The Hawks finished their season with a 6-0 loss at second-ranked Urbandale in a Class 4A substate final on Wednesday. Harpenau batted .304 with seven doubles, one triple and 16 RBIs. He received all-conference honorable mention for the second straight year. Here is some inside info … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Seth Harpenau, Ankeny baseball

Hard-throwing Patzner shuts down Hawks in substate final

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Wednesday's substate baseball final between unranked Ankeny and No. 2 Urbandale was a classic David vs. Goliath matchup. This time, Goliath prevailed. Luke Patzner tossed a two-hitter and had 10 strikeouts to lead the host J-Hawks to a 6-0 victory in a Class 4A Substate 7 final. The loss ended a seven-game winning streak for Ankeny, which finished the … [Read more...] about Hard-throwing Patzner shuts down Hawks in substate final

Seth Harpenau’s walk-off hit allows Hawks to survive and advance

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Seth Harpenau wasn't trying to be a hero. The Ankeny senior was simply trying to drive in the tying run during Monday's Class 4A substate baseball semifinal against visiting Des Moines East. He ended up getting a walk-off hit. Harpenau stroked a two-run single into right field to give the Hawks a thrilling 5-4 victory that moved them one step closer … [Read more...] about Seth Harpenau’s walk-off hit allows Hawks to survive and advance

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Emily Bogle, Ankeny softball

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Senior Emily Bogle helped the Ankeny softball team to a 28-13 record. The ninth-ranked Hawkettes ended their season with a 4-0 loss at No. 5 Valley in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday. Bogle batted .258 with four doubles and eight RBIs. She also stole eight bases. Here is some inside info on Bogle: Congratulations on a great season. What was the … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Emily Bogle, Ankeny softball

Maifeld hurls Hawks past Newton in substate quarterfinal

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When the Newton baseball team scored an unearned run in the first inning of Friday's Class 4A substate quarterfinal at Ankeny, it gave the Cardinals some early momentum against one of the state's best pitchers. "I was a little worried before the game--I don't know why," said Ankeny senior righthander Jayden Maifeld. "And then when that happened, I … [Read more...] about Maifeld hurls Hawks past Newton in substate quarterfinal