Ankeny Fanatic

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Softball

‘We were ready to attack’: Boyle, Jaguars top Ankeny girls at Johnston Invitational

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Cora Boyle and the Ankeny Centennial softball team didn't have any time to dwell on Thursday's season-opening loss to Norwalk. About 12 hours later, the top-ranked Jaguars were back on the diamond at the Johnston Invitational, where Boyle tossed a three-hitter and also went 2-for-4 at the plate in a 4-2 victory over No. 5 Ankeny. "We were ready to … [Read more...] about ‘We were ready to attack’: Boyle, Jaguars top Ankeny girls at Johnston Invitational

Hawkettes sweep Waukee as Lensmeyer, Johnson each blast pair of home runs

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Ankeny's duo of Aubrey Lensmeyer and Cassie Johnson proved to be double trouble for the Waukee softball team on Wednesday. Lensmeyer hit two home runs in the first game to lead Ankeny to a 7-1 victory, then Johnson blasted a pair of roundtrippers as the fifth-ranked Hawkettes completed a sweep of a CIML Conference road doubleheader with a 12-3 win in the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes sweep Waukee as Lensmeyer, Johnson each blast pair of home runs

‘We’ve just got to hit better’: Hawkettes open season with 2-1 loss at Norwalk

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The Ankeny softball team opened the season on Monday with a walk-off loss. The fifth-ranked Hawkettes dropped a 2-1 decision at Norwalk when Nyah Hulbert drove in the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Warriors are ranked No. 2 in Class 4A. "At the end of the day we've just got to hit better," said Ankeny coach Dave … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve just got to hit better’: Hawkettes open season with 2-1 loss at Norwalk

‘Our culture is at an all-time high’: Ankeny girls to rely heavily on Division I recruits

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Most high school softball teams don't have a Division I recruit on their roster. Ankeny is blessed to have three. The Hawkettes will again be led by seniors Cassie Johnson and Abby Rusher and junior Aubrey Lensmeyer. Johnson will play for Texas Tech next year, Rusher is headed to Creighton, and Lensmeyer has committed to South Dakota. Last year, the … [Read more...] about ‘Our culture is at an all-time high’: Ankeny girls to rely heavily on Division I recruits

‘I can’t wait to be a Griff!’: Ankeny’s Hans to play softball at Missouri Western

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Ankeny senior Lily Hans will continue her softball career at Missouri Western State University. The Griffons are members of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association and compete in NCAA Division II. "I can't wait to be a Griff!" Hans tweeted on Wednesday. Hans, an infielder, said she was really impressed by coach Joe Yegge and assistant … [Read more...] about ‘I can’t wait to be a Griff!’: Ankeny’s Hans to play softball at Missouri Western

‘Ultimately, I went with my heart’: Ankeny junior to play softball at South Dakota

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Ankeny junior Aubrey Lensmeyer has verbally committed to play softball at South Dakota. Lensmeyer announced her decision via social media on Wednesday. "It was probably the hardest decision I have ever had to make," said Lensmeyer. "I kept going back and forth, and it took me a while to really figure out exactly what I wanted. Ultimately, I went with … [Read more...] about ‘Ultimately, I went with my heart’: Ankeny junior to play softball at South Dakota

Six Jaguars, four Hawkettes earn all-state honors from Girls’ Coaches Association

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Six Ankeny Centennial softball players and four more from Ankeny have received all-state honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Centennial coach Brett Delaney was also honored--he was named the Class 5A coach of the year after guiding the Jaguars to their first state championship. Senior catcher Sydney Morris of Centennial was selected to the … [Read more...] about Six Jaguars, four Hawkettes earn all-state honors from Girls’ Coaches Association

Delaney named district coach of the year; 3 Jaguars, 2 Hawkettes also honored

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It was a storybook season for coach Brett Delaney and the Ankeny Centennial softball team. After guiding the Jaguars to a 36-5 record and the first state title in school history, Delaney has been named the Class 5A West district coach of the year by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. He also led his team to the CIML Conference crown. Three of … [Read more...] about Delaney named district coach of the year; 3 Jaguars, 2 Hawkettes also honored

Ankeny’s Miller, Winfrey named to academic all-state team by IGCA

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Ankeny softball standouts Larissa Miller and Kendra Winfrey have been named to the academic all-state team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. To be selected for the squad, athletes must be a senior and have a cumulative GPA of 3.75 and an ACT minimum score of 27 or higher. A total of 56 players from across the state were named to the team. Miller, … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Miller, Winfrey named to academic all-state team by IGCA

James, Kennedy, Sandholm join Miller, Johnson, Rusher on all-CIML first team

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Class 5A state champion Ankeny Centennial and state qualifier Ankeny both placed three softball players on the CIML Conference first team by a vote of the league's coaches. The Jaguars were represented by eighth grade pitcher Lauren Sandholm, freshman infielder Jordyn Kennedy and senior outfielder Mackenzie James, who was named to a utility position. … [Read more...] about James, Kennedy, Sandholm join Miller, Johnson, Rusher on all-CIML first team

‘We had a great season’: Ankeny girls tie for 7th in 5A, finish year with 31-8 record

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Cassie Johnson and her Ankeny softball teammates walked away from the Class 5A state tournament with their heads held high. "Of course we came into state wanting to win, but I couldn't be more proud of this team," said Johnson. "They are my best friends, and I wouldn't have wanted to go through the ups and downs with anyone else!" The second-ranked … [Read more...] about ‘We had a great season’: Ankeny girls tie for 7th in 5A, finish year with 31-8 record

Hawkettes fall to Muscatine, will play defending champs in consolation game

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There won't be an all-Ankeny clash, or even an all-CIML Conference battle, in the Class 5A state championship softball game. Second-ranked Ankeny and No. 3 Waukee Northwest, the defending champion, were both upset by teams from the Mississippi Athletic Conference in the Class 5A quarterfinals on Monday at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. The Hawkettes … [Read more...] about Hawkettes fall to Muscatine, will play defending champs in consolation game

State softball preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals

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The state softball tournament gets under way on Monday at Fort Dodge, and the Class 5A field boasts five teams from the CIML Conference--including top-ranked Ankeny Centennial and No. 2 Ankeny. Three squads from eastern Iowa will try to pull off an upset in Monday's quarterfinals. The other quarterfinal will be an all-CIML matchup between No. 4 Southeast … [Read more...] about State softball preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals

‘It’s our time right now’: Ankeny holds off Waukee, earns first trip to state since ’15

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The drought is finally over for the Ankeny softball team. The second-ranked Hawkettes held on for a 4-3 victory over No. 14 Waukee in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday, allowing them to qualify for state for the first time since 2015. "It feels great," said Ankeny shortstop Kendra Lewis. "I love this team so much. It's a great opportunity for us and … [Read more...] about ‘It’s our time right now’: Ankeny holds off Waukee, earns first trip to state since ’15

Johnson hits slam in 10-0 win over Cedar Falls; Hawkettes close in on state berth

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Ankeny softball coach Dave Bingham doesn't want his summer vacation to begin anytime soon. "I'm enjoying coaching these kids, and I hope I get four more (games)," Bingham said. The second-ranked Hawkettes opened postseason play on Saturday with a 10-0 victory over visiting Cedar Falls in five innings in a Class 5A regional semifinal. The Tigers … [Read more...] about Johnson hits slam in 10-0 win over Cedar Falls; Hawkettes close in on state berth

‘I just reminded myself to relax’: Riesberg homers twice, leads Ankeny to two wins

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Rylee Riesberg and the Ankeny softball team can't wait for the start of postseason play. That's because the third-ranked Hawkettes are one of the state's hottest teams. Riesberg homered in both games, the first two homers of her varsity career, as Ankeny defeated a pair of opponents on Monday at Cedar Rapids. The Hawkettes posted a 4-3 victory over … [Read more...] about ‘I just reminded myself to relax’: Riesberg homers twice, leads Ankeny to two wins

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kennedy Palmer, Ankeny softball

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Senior second baseman Kennedy Palmer has helped the third-ranked Ankeny softball team to a 27-6 record. The Hawkettes will play two games in Cedar Rapids on Monday against Cedar Rapids Xavier, the No. 7 team in Class 4A, and West Delaware. Palmer is batting .345 with three doubles and 18 RBIs. She leads the Hawkettes with two triples and has also stolen … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kennedy Palmer, Ankeny softball

Hawkettes sweep Urbandale, clinch second-place finish in CIML Conference

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The Ankeny softball team wrapped up an outright second-place finish in the CIML Conference with a doubleheader sweep over visiting Urbandale on Thursday. The third-ranked Hawkettes posted a 5-0 victory in the opener, then completed the sweep with a 6-1 triumph. They finished 12-4 in the league and improved to 27-6 overall, while Urbandale's records … [Read more...] about Hawkettes sweep Urbandale, clinch second-place finish in CIML Conference

‘The 2023 class is a special group’: Hawkettes romp to win on Senior Night

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Cassie Johnson and Abby Rusher got a rare night off Tuesday for the Ankeny softball team. The two junior standouts were relegated to bench duty as Ankeny coach Dave Bingham started an all-senior lineup on Senior Night as the third-ranked Hawkettes rolled to a 10-1 victory over visiting Pella Christian in a non-conference game. "We were able to start … [Read more...] about ‘The 2023 class is a special group’: Hawkettes romp to win on Senior Night