Ankeny Fanatic

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Softball

‘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

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Rusher hurls Hawkettes past Centennial in title game of Johnston Classic

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The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial softball teams are slated to meet in a top-10 showdown on June 7 at Ankeny. The two squads got a preview of that matchup on Friday, when they collided in the championship game of the Johnston Classic. Abby Rusher tossed a four-hitter and had five strikeouts to lead the ninth-ranked Hawkettes to a 6-0 victory over No. 6 … [Read more...] about Rusher hurls Hawkettes past Centennial in title game of Johnston Classic

Hawkettes open season with impressive sweep over Dowling Catholic

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It didn't take long for Cassie Johnson to make an impact upon her return to the Ankeny softball team. Johnson homered during a seven-run first inning and the ninth-ranked Hawkettes opened their season on Monday with an 8-2 victory over visiting Dowling Catholic in the first game of a CIML Conference doubleheader. They then completed the sweep with an 8-1 … [Read more...] about Hawkettes open season with impressive sweep over Dowling Catholic

Deep, experienced Ankeny team boosted by additions of Johnson, Lewis

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The Ankeny softball team was already expected to have a deep and experienced roster. Now, the Hawkettes have been strengthened by the addition of some talented newcomers. Senior Kendra Lewis and junior Cassie Johnson have joined the program after previously focusing on club softball. Lewis has signed a letter of intent with Morehead State, while … [Read more...] about Deep, experienced Ankeny team boosted by additions of Johnson, Lewis

Ankeny catcher Enright commits to Iowa Central, will join Palmer on Tritons’ roster

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Ankeny catcher Reagan Enright has committed to play softball at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge. Enright joins her teammate Kennedy Palmer, who previously committed to the Tritons. "I liked the coaches at Iowa Central and how welcoming they were!" Enright said. "Also, a goal of mine is to hopefully be able to play at a bigger school after … [Read more...] about Ankeny catcher Enright commits to Iowa Central, will join Palmer on Tritons’ roster

Ankeny’s Rusher commits to Creighton, cites ‘unparalleled opportunities’

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Abby Rusher is the latest Ankeny softball player to make a verbal commitment. The junior pitcher announced on Twitter Tuesday that she has decided to play for Creighton. "I am so excited to announce that I will be continuing my academic and athletic career at Creighton University," Rusher tweeted. "I am so thankful for my family and teammates that … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Rusher commits to Creighton, cites ‘unparalleled opportunities’

‘Headed to the Island!’: Ankeny’s Winfrey commits to Texas A & M Corpus Christi

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Ankeny softball standout Kendra Winfrey will be taking her dual-threat abilities to the Southland Conference. The senior pitcher/slugger has verbally committed to play for Texas A & M Corpus Christi, an NCAA Division I school. She announced her decision via Twitter on Thursday. "Headed to the Island!!" Winfrey tweeted. "Huge thank you to everyone … [Read more...] about ‘Headed to the Island!’: Ankeny’s Winfrey commits to Texas A & M Corpus Christi