The Ankeny baseball team dropped a 6-1 decision to visiting North Polk in the completion of a suspended game on Thursday. The Hawks trailed by 6-1 in the fifth inning when the non-conference contest was halted by lightning on Monday. Neither team was able to score when play resumed. North Polk remained unbeaten at 3-0. "I thought all the relief … [Read more...] about ‘I see a lot of potential in this group’: Balvanz unfazed by Hawks’ 0-3 start
Summer
Hawkettes erupt for 17 runs in victory at Class 4A No. 8 North Polk to open season
If Wednesday's season opener is any indication, the Ankeny softball team is going to have an entertaining season. The Hawkettes put up crooked numbers in four different innings and never trailed en route to a 17-10 victory at North Polk, the No. 8 team in Class 4A. "We had great production at the plate and confidence in our approach, solid defense … [Read more...] about Hawkettes erupt for 17 runs in victory at Class 4A No. 8 North Polk to open season
‘That’s a pretty solid ball club’: Spartans sweep doubleheader against Ankeny
Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz likes to play a challenging schedule to prepare his team for postseason play. Visiting Pleasant Valley provided a huge test for the Hawks on Wednesday. The Spartans swept the non-conference doubleheader by scores of 5-0 and 10-3. They raised their record to 4-0 after sweeping Rock Island, Ill., on Tuesday. "We are … [Read more...] about ‘That’s a pretty solid ball club’: Spartans sweep doubleheader against Ankeny
‘Set the Standard’: Saladino’s Hawkettes look to continue progress in 2026 season
The Ankeny softball team returns several starters from last year's squad, but the Hawkettes will have to replace their top two pitchers. Aubrey Lensmeyer and Kaylyn Miller both graduated after helping the team to a 13-27 record in its first season under coach Sarah Saladino. Those two combined to pitch all but 14 of the 250 2/3 innings that the Hawkettes … [Read more...] about ‘Set the Standard’: Saladino’s Hawkettes look to continue progress in 2026 season
‘We have a strong group of seniors’: Ankeny baseball team boasts deep roster
It won't be easy for Joe Balvanz to replace one of the best leaders he's ever coached in the Ankeny baseball program. Shortstop Kinnick Vos graduated last year and is now playing at Black Hawk Community College in Moline, Ill. He led the Hawks to a 14-25 record as a senior. Voss batted .350 with five doubles and 16 RBIs while leading the team with four … [Read more...] about ‘We have a strong group of seniors’: Ankeny baseball team boasts deep roster
‘It was a great opportunity’: Ankeny’s Minner commits to play for Indiana State
Ankeny pitcher Hunter Minner has verbally committed to play for Indiana State. A recruiting trip to Terre Haute sold Minner on the Sycamores. "I went on a visit to Indiana State and got to see the campus facilities and meet the coaches, and it was a great opportunity," said Minner. "Overall, what I was impressed with was the coaches and the atmosphere. … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great opportunity’: Ankeny’s Minner commits to play for Indiana State
Jags’ Houser commits to Northeast Iowa; Indian Hills lands Buffington, Wildebour
Ankeny Centennial senior Trae Houser has committed to play baseball at Northeast Iowa Community College, while Ryan Buffington and Logan Wildebour of Ankeny are both headed to Indian Hills Community College. All three players committed over the weekend. Houser said he talked to a number of schools at different levels before making his decision. "It was … [Read more...] about Jags’ Houser commits to Northeast Iowa; Indian Hills lands Buffington, Wildebour
‘It was a blessing in disguise’: Ankeny’s Nelson to play softball at Iowa Western
Ankeny outfielder Avery Nelson was planning to play college softball in the city of Omaha, Neb. Now, the senior-to-be will be starting her college career in nearby Council Bluffs. After previously committing to play for Creighton, Nelson has now committed to play for Iowa Western Community College. She said her decision to decommit from the Bluejays … [Read more...] about ‘It was a blessing in disguise’: Ankeny’s Nelson to play softball at Iowa Western
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kinnick Vos, Ankeny baseball
Senior shortstop Kinnick Vos helped the Ankeny baseball team to a 14-25 record this season. He was named to the CIML Conference first team at a utility position after batting .350 with four triples, five doubles and 16 RBIs. Vos played for the Large Schools West team in the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association All-Star Series on July 31-Aug. 2. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kinnick Vos, Ankeny baseball
Vos to play for Large Schools West in IHSBCA All-Star Series on his home field
Ankeny baseball standout Kinnick Vos will get two more chances to play on his home field. The senior shortstop has been selected to play in the 2025 Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association All-Star Series. The games will be played at Ankeny High School on Thursday and Friday before moving to Urbandale for the final day of games on Saturday. Vos … [Read more...] about Vos to play for Large Schools West in IHSBCA All-Star Series on his home field
Centennial quartet, ACA duo, Ankeny’s Lensmeyer earn all-state softball honors
Four Ankeny Centennial softball players have earned all-state honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association along with two from Ankeny Christian Academy and one from Ankeny. Junior infielder Jordyn Kennedy and junior outfielder Mady Ott of Centennial were both named to the Class 5A first team. Senior pitcher Aubrey Scieszinski of Centennial was selected … [Read more...] about Centennial quartet, ACA duo, Ankeny’s Lensmeyer earn all-state softball honors
Centennial’s Bollwinkel, Morris joined by Ankeny’s Vos on all-conference first team
The Ankeny Centennial baseball duo of Kohen Bollwinkel and Will Morris has been named to the CIML Conference first team along with Ankeny standout Kinnick Vos. The all-conference teams were selected by a vote of the league's coaches. Morris, a junior infielder, was a unanimous pick. He helped the Jaguars to a 24-14 record. Morris led the team with a … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Bollwinkel, Morris joined by Ankeny’s Vos on all-conference first team
Kennedy, Ott, Scieszinski, Lincicum land spots on CIML Conference first team
The Ankeny Centennial softball team placed four players on the CIML Conference first team and four more on the third team. Two others earned honorable mention, while Ankeny matched the Jaguars with 10 players recognized overall. Junior infielder Jordyn Kennedy, junior outfielder Mady Ott and senior pitcher Aubrey Scieszinski of Centennial were all named … [Read more...] about Kennedy, Ott, Scieszinski, Lincicum land spots on CIML Conference first team
‘I’m always proud of this team’: Hawkettes drop nailbiter at S.E. Polk in regional final
After playing her final game in an Ankeny softball uniform, senior Aubrey Lensmeyer hugged her coaches before walking off the field at Southeast Polk. Her high school career had come to an end just a few minutes earlier with a 3-2 loss in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday. "I'm always proud of this team," said Lensmeyer. "It's been an up-and-down … [Read more...] about ‘I’m always proud of this team’: Hawkettes drop nailbiter at S.E. Polk in regional final
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kaylyn Miller, Ankeny softball
Senior third baseman Kaylyn Miller helped the Ankeny softball team to a 5-1 victory at ninth-ranked Ames in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday. The Hawkettes (13-26) will play at No. 3 Southeast Polk (30-10) in the regional final on Tuesday. Miller is batting .232 on the season with seven doubles and 17 RBIs. In the pitcher's circle, she has … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kaylyn Miller, Ankeny softball
‘I’m not surprised at all’: Confident Ankeny girls stun No. 9 Ames in regional semifinal
Aubrey Lensmeyer and her Ankeny softball teammates were confident going into Saturday's game at Ames--even though the contest looked like a mismatch on paper. "We were the underdogs going into it, but I'm not surprised (by the result)," said Lensmeyer. 'If this team plays our game, we can win and beat anyone." Lensmeyer tossed a six-hitter and also had … [Read more...] about ‘I’m not surprised at all’: Confident Ankeny girls stun No. 9 Ames in regional semifinal
‘We fought the whole game’: Hawks end season with 8-4 loss at No. 7 Indianola
The Ankeny baseball team was hoping to pull off some surprises in postseason play. A young and talented Indianola squad didn't let it happen. The seventh-ranked Indians ended Ankeny's season with an 8-4 victory in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Saturday at Indianola. The Hawks finished with a 14-25 record. "Like all year, they never gave up," … [Read more...] about ‘We fought the whole game’: Hawks end season with 8-4 loss at No. 7 Indianola
Former Ankeny infielder Lewis transfers from Morehead State to James Madison
Former Ankeny softball standout Kendra Lewis has committed to play for James Madison University. Lewis, a third baseman and shortstop, is coming off a breakout season at Morehead State, where she earned all-OVC second-team honors as a sophomore. She will have two years of eligibility remaining. Lewis entered the transfer portal after starting all 49 … [Read more...] about Former Ankeny infielder Lewis transfers from Morehead State to James Madison
Hawks fall twice at No. 3 Johnston, gear up for substate opener at No. 7 Indianola
After entering the week with a seven-game winning streak, the Ankeny baseball team is now on a five-game losing skid. And with the postseason set to begin in less than 48 hours, the Hawks can't afford another loss. Ankeny closed out the regular season on Wednesday with a make-up doubleheader at third-ranked Johnston, which rallied for an 8-7 victory in … [Read more...] about Hawks fall twice at No. 3 Johnston, gear up for substate opener at No. 7 Indianola
Hawks drop 7-1 decision at North Polk, will head to Johnston next for 2 games
The North Polk baseball team used a six-run outburst in the fourth inning to break a 1-1 tie and went on to defeat visiting Ankeny, 7-1, in a non-conference game on Tuesday. The Hawks dropped to 14-22 overall with their third straight loss. North Polk raised its record to 19-11. Kinnick Vos doubled and walked twice for Ankeny, which had just four hits … [Read more...] about Hawks drop 7-1 decision at North Polk, will head to Johnston next for 2 games