When the Ankeny softball team entered postseason play on a six-game losing streak, the odds of the Hawkettes capturing a state tournament trophy seemed remote at best. But over the last two weeks, that's exactly what coach Dave Bingham's squad was able to do. Ninth-ranked Ankeny closed out the season on Thursday with a 6-5 loss to No. 11 Urbandale in … [Read more...] about ‘We were doubted for sure’: Hawkettes place 4th, their highest finish since 2013
Softball
Rusher leads Ankeny to 4th-place finish, lands spot on Class 5A all-tourney team
Ankeny senior Abby Rusher was named to the Class 5A all-tournament team after leading the Hawkettes to a fourth-place finish in the state softball tournament this week at Fort Dodge. Rusher went 4-for-10 at the plate with at least one hit in all three games. She went 2-for-3 and had a solo home run, her first of the season, in the Hawkettes' 8-1 loss to … [Read more...] about Rusher leads Ankeny to 4th-place finish, lands spot on Class 5A all-tourney team
‘It just didn’t go our way’: Hawkettes will play for 3rd place after tumbling to Valley
Not even a 90-minute rain delay could slow down the Valley softball team's impressive march to the Class 5A championship game. The top-ranked Tigers overcame a brief thunderstorm in the top of the third inning to beat No. 9 Ankeny, 8-1, in the semifinals of the state tournament on Wednesday at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. "They're a good hitting … [Read more...] about ‘It just didn’t go our way’: Hawkettes will play for 3rd place after tumbling to Valley
An all-CIML softball final in Fort Dodge?: Breaking down the Class 5A semifinals
The CIML Conference nearly advanced four teams to Wednesday's Class 5A semifinals at the state softball tournament, which would have guaranteed an all-CIML final in Thursday's championship. The title game could still feature two teams from the CIML, but it will take a sizable upset in the second semifinal game. Here's a closer look at the two … [Read more...] about An all-CIML softball final in Fort Dodge?: Breaking down the Class 5A semifinals
‘You could feel this’: Ankeny girls blank Wolves, will face No. 1 Valley in semifinals
On paper, the ninth-ranked Ankeny softball team appeared to be facing an uphill battle against No. 4 Waukee Northwest in Monday's Class 5A quarterfinals at the state tournament. Ankeny coach Dave Bingham, though, had plenty of confidence in his squad. "I don't know if a team was more prepared for a game in all of my years of coaching," Bingham said … [Read more...] about ‘You could feel this’: Ankeny girls blank Wolves, will face No. 1 Valley in semifinals