Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Softball

‘We’ve got to get back to some basics’: Hawkettes tumble twice at No. 3 Johnston

by

The Ankeny softball team will need to regroup after being swept in Monday's doubleheader at third-ranked Johnston. The Dragons posted an 8-5 victory in the opener, then followed with a 12-2 win in six innings. They extended their winning streak to five games. The No. 7 Hawkettes, meanwhile, have lost four in a row. "We're streaky right now, and … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve got to get back to some basics’: Hawkettes tumble twice at No. 3 Johnston

Jaguars cruise to championship of Fort Dodge Invitational; Ankeny places 4th

by

Mady Ott and the Ankeny Centennial softball team feel right at home at Harlan Rogers Park. Ott homered twice and drove in seven runs on Saturday as the fifth-ranked Jaguars cruised to the championship of the 16-team Fort Dodge Invitational. They rallied for an 11-5 victory over Class 3A No. 1 Williamsburg in the semifinals, then followed with an 8-2 … [Read more...] about Jaguars cruise to championship of Fort Dodge Invitational; Ankeny places 4th

Rusher, Lensmeyer combine to shut down Dowling Catholic in Hawkettes’ sweep

by

Abby Rusher and Aubrey Lensmeyer combined to allow just three runs as the Ankeny softball team swept a doubleheader on Wednesday at Dowling Catholic. The seventh-ranked Hawkettes posted a 5-0 victory in the opener, then completed the sweep with a 9-3 triumph. They improved to 6-2 in the CIML Conference and 11-7 overall, while Dowling's records dropped to … [Read more...] about Rusher, Lensmeyer combine to shut down Dowling Catholic in Hawkettes’ sweep

‘It was a lot of innings!’: Lensmeyer carries heavy load as AHS finishes 3-1 at Creston

by

Aubrey Lensmeyer and her Ankeny softball teammates have earned a little time off. The seventh-ranked Hawkettes played six games over the last three days, beginning with a doubleheader split at Urbandale on Thursday. They then went 3-1 in the John Stephens Classic this weekend, capped off by a pair of victories on Saturday. Lensmeyer, a junior, pitched … [Read more...] about ‘It was a lot of innings!’: Lensmeyer carries heavy load as AHS finishes 3-1 at Creston

Rusher, Parton lead Hawkettes past Urbandale in first game of doubleheader

by

The Ankeny softball team had to settle for a split on Thursday at Urbandale. After the seventh-ranked Hawkettes posted a 2-1 victory in the opener of a CIML Conference doubleheader, Urbandale bounced back with a 3-2 win in the nightcap. The J-Hawks ended a 10-game losing streak to Ankeny. "We're still stuck in that hitting rut a little bit," said … [Read more...] about Rusher, Parton lead Hawkettes past Urbandale in first game of doubleheader

Hawkettes outlast No. 3 Waukee NW in 10 innings before Wolves earn split

by

After making an early mistake, Ankeny pitcher Abby Rusher buckled down on Monday night. Rusher gave up a leadoff homer to Sophia Schlader to start the game, then shut down third-ranked Waukee Northwest the rest of the way as the eighth-ranked Hawkettes posted a 2-1 victory in 10 innings in the opener of a CIML Conference softball doubleheader at … [Read more...] about Hawkettes outlast No. 3 Waukee NW in 10 innings before Wolves earn split

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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