Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Softball

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

‘We’re in it for the championship’: Hawkettes sweep past Waukee NW

by

On the same night that its crosstown rival clinched the outright CIML Conference title, the Ankeny softball team showed that it's one of the top contenders to capture the Class 5A state championship. The third-ranked Hawkettes rallied for a 5-4 victory in 10 innings in the first game of a doubleheader on Monday at No. 2 Waukee Northwest, then completed a … [Read more...] about ‘We’re in it for the championship’: Hawkettes sweep past Waukee NW

Rusher, Winfrey lead Hawkettes past Davis County, Estherville Lincoln Central

by

Junior Abby Rusher and senior Kendra Winfrey have handled most of the pitching duties this season for the Ankeny softball team. On Friday in the Brent Prange Classic, the duo combined for a pair of shutouts while also going 7-for-13 at the plate with five RBIs. "I like splitting games," said Rusher. "It helps keep the opponent on their toes. Me and … [Read more...] about Rusher, Winfrey lead Hawkettes past Davis County, Estherville Lincoln Central

Ankeny, Centennial softball teams earn No. 1 seeds for Class 5A regional play

by

The Class 5A regional softball pairings have been announced by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. Both top-ranked Ankeny Centennial and No. 3 Ankeny earned No. 1 seeds in their respective regions. The Jaguars (22-4) will host Des Moines East (6-26) or Des Moines North (0-17) in a Region 4 semifinal on Saturday, July 8 at 7 p.m. Ames (19-13) will … [Read more...] about Ankeny, Centennial softball teams earn No. 1 seeds for Class 5A regional play

Hawkettes advance to title game of Fort Dodge Invite before getting rained out

by

The only thing that could slow down the Ankeny softball team on Saturday was an untimely visit from Mother Nature. The second-ranked Hawkettes advanced to the championship game of the Fort Dodge Invitational before the tournament was called off due to rain. "We played our best softball of the year," said Ankeny coach Dave Bingham. "The culture is so … [Read more...] about Hawkettes advance to title game of Fort Dodge Invite before getting rained out

Warriors snap Ankeny’s winning streak; Hawkettes take nightcap to earn split

by

The Ankeny softball team used a five-run fifth inning to post a 5-0 victory over visiting Waukee in the second game of a doubleheader on Thursday, allowing the second-ranked Hawkettes to salvage a split of the twinbill. The Warriors snapped Ankeny's seven-game winning streak with a 3-0 triumph in the opener. The Hawkettes were held scoreless for the first … [Read more...] about Warriors snap Ankeny’s winning streak; Hawkettes take nightcap to earn split

‘I didn’t think it was gone’: Rusher’s 3-run blast lifts Ankeny past No. 1 Indianola

by

Ankeny junior Abby Rusher earned a scholarship to play softball at Creighton primarily due to her potential as a pitcher. On Tuesday, the hard-throwing righthander demonstrated her prowess as a clutch hitter, too. Rusher hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning to give the fourth-ranked Hawkettes a 3-2 victory in a non-conference game at Indianola, … [Read more...] about ‘I didn’t think it was gone’: Rusher’s 3-run blast lifts Ankeny past No. 1 Indianola

‘Everybody else stepped up’: Hawkettes sweep Valley without their best hitter

by

The fourth-ranked Ankeny softball team proved on Monday that it can win without its best hitter. Junior catcher Cassie Johnson started the first game of a doubleheader at No. 2 Valley, but left after just one at-bat and did not return. She leads the squad with a .538 batting average, eight home runs and 27 RBIs. Still, the Hawkettes went on to sweep … [Read more...] about ‘Everybody else stepped up’: Hawkettes sweep Valley without their best hitter

Rusher, Hawkettes finish perfect 4-0 in John Stevens Classic at Creston

by

The Ankeny softball team outscored its opponents by a 35-5 margin while winning four games in the John Stevens Classic on Friday and Saturday at Creston. The fourth-ranked Hawkettes posted a 10-0 victory over Clarinda in six innings on Saturday before closing out the tournament with a 5-3 win over Winterset, the No. 8 team in Class 4A. "We were really … [Read more...] about Rusher, Hawkettes finish perfect 4-0 in John Stevens Classic at Creston

‘We were a lot more ready’: Belzer, Jaguars avenge only loss, sweep Ankeny

by

Shortstop Mariah Belzer and the Ankeny Centennial softball team were fired up to avenge their only loss of the season. Belzer went 4-for-4 and hit a two-run homer as the seventh-ranked Jaguars rolled to a 7-1 victory at No. 6 Ankeny in the second game of a doubleheader on Wednesday, completing a sweep of the Hawkettes. Ankeny had posted a 6-0 win over … [Read more...] about ‘We were a lot more ready’: Belzer, Jaguars avenge only loss, sweep Ankeny

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Cassie Johnson, Ankeny softball

by

Junior catcher and outfielder Cassie Johnson has helped lead the Ankeny softball team to a 9-2 record and a No. 6 ranking in Class 5A. She is batting .559 with 19 RBIs and ranks third among the state's leaders with six home runs. On Friday, Johnson had a pair of walk-off hits in the eighth inning as the Hawkettes swept a doubleheader against visiting … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Cassie Johnson, Ankeny softball

‘It felt like a special place’: Johnson blasts two walk-off hits; Ankeny sweeps Rams

by

Perhaps Dick Rasmussen was smiling from above at the end of Friday's doubleheader that was played on the softball field named after him. Sixth-ranked Ankeny got a pair of walk-off hits from Cassie Johnson to beat No. 3 Southeast Polk, 6-5 and 8-7, in a CIML Conference twinbill. Both game-winning hits came in the bottom of the eighth inning. Johnson was … [Read more...] about ‘It felt like a special place’: Johnson blasts two walk-off hits; Ankeny sweeps Rams

Hawkettes split twinbill with Johnston, move up to No. 6 in latest 5A rankings

by

After resuming Tuesday's suspended doubleheader against visiting Johnston, the Ankeny softball team settled for a split of the twinbill on Wednesday. The ninth-ranked Hawkettes held on for a 7-5 victory in the opener before No. 8 Johnston salvaged a split with a 5-3 win in the nightcap. Ankeny pitcher Abby Rusher went 2-for-3 and got the decision in both … [Read more...] about Hawkettes split twinbill with Johnston, move up to No. 6 in latest 5A rankings