Ankeny Fanatic

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Softball

Valley sweeps Hawkettes, claims Central Conference crown

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If the Ankeny softball team defeats Valley next week to earn a trip to the Class 5A state tournament, none of the Hawkettes will even care about what happened on Monday night. The ninth-ranked Tigers swept a doubleheader against No. 8 Ankeny, 12-5 and 14-8, to clinch the outright CIML Central Conference title. The two teams entered the twinbill at Valley … [Read more...] about Valley sweeps Hawkettes, claims Central Conference crown

Buttjer honored before Hawkettes drop 3-2 decision to North Polk

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Senior Sophie Buttjer has appeared in only five games this season for the Ankeny softball team, pitching a total of 10 2/3 innings. Buttjer was sidelined by a blood clot in her leg that prevented her from being a part of the Hawkettes' regular rotation on the mound. "It was an emotional deal," said Ankeny coach Dave Bingham. "I think she would have … [Read more...] about Buttjer honored before Hawkettes drop 3-2 decision to North Polk

Hawkettes sweep Ames, will play at Valley Monday for conference title

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The race for the CIML Central Conference softball title will be decided on Monday night. That's when ninth-ranked Valley will host No. 8 Ankeny in a head-to-head showdown for the crown. The doubleheader begins at 6 p.m. Both teams are now 13-4 in the conference after the Hawkettes swept a twinbill on Thursday at Ames. They rolled to a 14-1 victory in … [Read more...] about Hawkettes sweep Ames, will play at Valley Monday for conference title

Magical season continues for Hawkettes with 2 extra-inning wins over Waukee

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It's been a season of magical moments for Kennedy Thomas and the eighth-ranked Ankeny softball team. On Wednesday, Thomas delivered the most magical moment thus far. The senior slugger hit a walk-off grand slam with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Hawkettes a 9-6 victory over No. 11 Waukee in the first game of a CIML Central … [Read more...] about Magical season continues for Hawkettes with 2 extra-inning wins over Waukee

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Madison Bonner-Palmer, Ankeny softball

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Madison Bonner-Palmer of the Ankeny softball team is the Ankeny Fanatic Sub of the Week sponsored by Blimpie. The senior slugger is batting .417 on the season. She has two home runs and two doubles among her 15 hits while driving in 11 runs. Bonner-Palmer has helped Ankeny to a 23-8 record and a No. 8 ranking in Class 5A. The Hawkettes will host a CIML … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Madison Bonner-Palmer, Ankeny softball

Hawkettes halt brief losing skid with 11-1 victory over Pleasantville

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For the third time this season, the Ankeny softball team refused to let back-to-back losses turn into a three-game losing streak. The eighth-ranked Hawkettes rolled to an 11-1 victory over Pleasantville in five innings in their final game at the Brent Prange Classic on Saturday. They went 2-2 in the tournament and are now 22-8 on the season. "We came … [Read more...] about Hawkettes halt brief losing skid with 11-1 victory over Pleasantville

Bingham watches from dugout as Hawkettes sweep Dowling Catholic

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Ankeny softball coach Dave Bingham has been coaching from the dugout in recent games. The way the Hawkettes played on Thursday, he may stay there for awhile. Eighth-ranked Ankeny swept a non-conference doubleheader against No. 14 Dowling Catholic at Dick Rasmussen Field to raise its overall record to 20-6. The Hawkettes posted a 6-5 victory in the … [Read more...] about Bingham watches from dugout as Hawkettes sweep Dowling Catholic

Hawkettes regain sole possession of first place on Daugherty’s walk-off single

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With one swing of the bat, Malea Daugherty lifted the Ankeny softball team back into sole possession of first place in the CIML Central Conference. Daugherty hit a walk-off single with two outs in the eighth inning to give the 11th-ranked Hawkettes a 5-4 victory over No. 12 Southeast Polk in the second game of a doubleheader on Wednesday at Ankeny. The … [Read more...] about Hawkettes regain sole possession of first place on Daugherty’s walk-off single

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Kennedy Thomas, Ankeny softball

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Senior first baseman and pitcher Kennedy Thomas has helped the Ankeny softball team to a 17-5 record and a No. 11 ranking in Class 5A. Thomas is batting .423 with eight home runs, six doubles and 32 RBIs. On the mound, she has compiled a 4-1 mark with a 3.42 ERA. Here is some inside info on Thomas: Congratulations on a great season thus far. What … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Kennedy Thomas, Ankeny softball

Hawkettes knock off No. 1 C.R. Kennedy, finish 2nd at Fort Dodge Invitational

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The Ankeny softball team was just three outs away from winning the Fort Dodge Invitational title on Saturday. Unfortunately, the host Dodgers refused to go away quietly. Tenth-ranked Fort Dodge scored four unearned runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to rally past the Hawkettes, 10-9, in the championship game of the tournament. The Dodgers (20-4) … [Read more...] about Hawkettes knock off No. 1 C.R. Kennedy, finish 2nd at Fort Dodge Invitational

Hawkettes, now ranked 11th, extend winning streak to 6 games

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The Ankeny softball team moved back into the Class 5A rankings on Thursday, earning a No. 11 ranking from the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union after sweeping a doubleheader against then-No. 3 Valley on Wednesday. A few hours later, the Hawkettes extended their winning streak to six games by sweeping a non-conference twinbill against Des Moines … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, now ranked 11th, extend winning streak to 6 games

Thomas blasts 2 more HRs; Hawkettes sweep Valley for league lead

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Whatever Kennedy Thomas is doing at the plate, it appears to be working. Thomas blasted two home runs in the first game of a doubleheader against third-ranked Valley on Wednesday, igniting the Ankeny softball team to a rare sweep of the visiting Tigers. The Hawkettes posted wins of 5-2 and 6-4 to move into sole possession of first place in the CIML … [Read more...] about Thomas blasts 2 more HRs; Hawkettes sweep Valley for league lead

Fearless Hawkettes snap 12-game losing streak against Waukee

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Jasmine Rumley had no idea that the Ankeny softball team had just defeated Waukee for the first time since 2014. "Holy cow, that's awesome," said Rumley. The sophomore outfielder went 3-for-4 with a home run, a triple and four RBIs to lead the Hawkettes to a 9-5 victory at fourth-ranked Waukee on Monday. The Warriors had won 12 straight games against … [Read more...] about Fearless Hawkettes snap 12-game losing streak against Waukee

Hawkettes fall to Atlantic, beat Burlington at Creston tournament

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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

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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

Smith’s RBI double ignites Hawkettes to split against S.E. Polk

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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

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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

Hawkettes roll past Clarke for 6th consecutive victory

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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

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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