Another Ankeny softball player has made her college plans. And a few more could be making their decisions soon. Senior outfielder Rylee Riesberg has committed to play for the University of Sioux Falls. Former Ankeny star Kennedy Thomas is currently a senior on the Cougars' roster. "I looked at several schools, but the University of Sioux Falls … [Read more...] about ‘Sioux Falls always stood out to me’: Riesberg to play softball for Cougars
Softball
Ankeny’s Palmer commits to play softball at Iowa Central Community College
Ankeny senior Kennedy Palmer has verbally committed to play softball at Iowa Central Community College. Palmer said the junior college route was the best way for her to go to reach her goals. "Playing for two years and then hopefully being able to go to a bigger school is a goal of mine which is why I thought this would be a good fit for me," said … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Palmer commits to play softball at Iowa Central Community College
Ankeny’s Fulk changes her mind, will now play softball at Indian Hills
It turns out that Eva Fulk's softball career isn't over after all. Fulk, who had earlier committed to join the Northern Iowa women's track and field program, has now decided to play softball in college. The Ankeny High School graduate will play for Indian Hills Community College. Indian Hills announced the addition of Fulk to its 2022 recruiting class … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Fulk changes her mind, will now play softball at Indian Hills
Ankeny’s Fulk named to Class 5A all-state first team by Coaches Association
Ankeny graduate Eva Fulk is about to begin her collegiate track career at the University of Northern Iowa. Her high school softball career didn't end, however, without one more postseason honor. The senior outfielder has been named to the Class 5A all-state first team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Five other players from Ankeny and Ankeny … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Fulk named to Class 5A all-state first team by Coaches Association
‘It instantly felt like home’: Lowe commits to play softball at Northern State
Alysa Lowe's search for a college softball program didn't last long. Ankeny's junior third baseman verbally committed on Monday to play for Northern State, beginning in the fall of 2023. She announced her decision on Twitter. "I had attended a couple softball camps and just started my college search when I came across Northern State," Lowe said later. … [Read more...] about ‘It instantly felt like home’: Lowe commits to play softball at Northern State
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Larissa Miller, Ankeny softball
Junior shortstop Larissa Miller helped the Ankeny softball team to a 27-13 record this season. She was named to the CIML Iowa Conference first team as a utility player. She batted .398 with five RBIs as the Hawkettes' leadoff hitter. She scored 42 runs, stole 34 bases and led the team with 49 singles. Here is some inside info on … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Larissa Miller, Ankeny softball
Ankeny’s Parton, Sondgeroth named to academic all-state team
Ankeny softball players Mariah Parton and Delaney Sondgeroth have been named to the academic all-state team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Only 36 players from across the state were selected to the squad. Parton, a senior outfielder, led the Hawkettes to a 27-13 record. She paced the team in several offensive categories, batting .434 with five … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Parton, Sondgeroth named to academic all-state team
Ankeny softball trio, Centennial duo named to all-conference first team
Three Ankeny softball players and two from Ankeny Centennial have been named to the CIML Iowa Conference first team by a vote of the league's coaches. Senior outfielder Mariah Parton of Ankeny was one of eight unanimous picks to the first team. She led the Hawkettes to a 27-13 record, batting .434 with five triples and 40 RBIs. Parton's teammates, … [Read more...] about Ankeny softball trio, Centennial duo named to all-conference first team
Ankeny’s Fulk earns all-district honors along with Centennial’s Stahr, Starr
A trio of softball players from Ankeny has earned all-district honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Senior outfielder Eva Fulk of Ankeny was named to the Class 5A West team along with two players from Ankeny Centennial, junior pitcher Jadeyn Stahr and sophomore third baseman Addi Starr. Fulk helped the Hawkettes to a 27-13 record this … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Fulk earns all-district honors along with Centennial’s Stahr, Starr
‘The season ended too soon’: Hawkettes fall short in regional final at S.E. Polk
Ankeny softball coach Dave Bingham didn't want the season to end. He really wanted to coach the seniors on this year's squad for another week. The 11th-ranked Hawkettes fell one win short of a trip to the Class 5A state tournament. They dropped a 4-3 decision at No. 7 Southeast Polk in a regional final on Tuesday. "We're definitely heartbroken … [Read more...] about ‘The season ended too soon’: Hawkettes fall short in regional final at S.E. Polk
Hawkettes rout C.R. Kennedy behind timely hitting, Rusher’s strong effort
The Ankeny softball team didn't need a lot of help from its opponent on Saturday. The 11th-ranked Hawkettes got some anyway. Ankeny pounded out nine hits and took advantage of six errors by visiting Cedar Rapids Kennedy to defeat the Cougars, 13-2, in five innings in a Class 5A regional semifinal. "It was awesome," said Ankeny outfielder Eva Fulk, … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rout C.R. Kennedy behind timely hitting, Rusher’s strong effort
Hawkettes rally for road win at North Polk, finish regular season at 26-12
The Ankeny softball team got a much-needed victory in its regular-season finale on Saturday. The Hawkettes snapped a four-game losing skid with a 5-3 victory at North Polk in a non-conference game. They improved their record to 26-12. North Polk (15-14) scored two runs in the fifth inning to break a 1-1 tie. Ankeny then rallied for three runs in the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rally for road win at North Polk, finish regular season at 26-12
Suarez’s walk-off blast gives Jaguars sweep of season series against Ankeny
When Ankeny Centennial's Claire Suarez stepped to the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning on Thursday, she was looking to start a game-winning rally. The junior second baseman did a lot more than that. Suarez connected on a two-ball, one-strike pitch for a leadoff homer to left-center field, allowing the sixth-ranked Centennial softball team to … [Read more...] about Suarez’s walk-off blast gives Jaguars sweep of season series against Ankeny
Ankeny looks to regroup after Dodgers sweep twinbill to keep title hopes alive
The Ankeny softball team had a lot to play for on Wednesday against defending state champion Fort Dodge. But so did the third-ranked Dodgers. Fort Dodge won both games of a doubleheader at No. 9 Ankeny to keep its CIML Iowa Conference title hopes alive. The Dodgers posted an 8-2 victory in the opener, then completed the sweep with an 11-0 win in five … [Read more...] about Ankeny looks to regroup after Dodgers sweep twinbill to keep title hopes alive
Hawkettes sweep Marshalltown again, will face Fort Dodge, Centennial next
The ninth-ranked Ankeny softball team took care of business on Monday against visiting Marshalltown, sweeping a CIML Iowa Conference doubleheader in just seven combined innings. The Hawkettes rolled to a 12-0 win in three innings in the opener. They then completed a sweep over the struggling Bobcats with a 15-3 triumph in four innings. "I think anytime … [Read more...] about Hawkettes sweep Marshalltown again, will face Fort Dodge, Centennial next
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 188
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm interviews assistant coach Sarah Saladino and senior pitcher Ashtyn Billings of the Ankeny softball team along with head coach Craig Dueker and sophomore star Eli Christensen of the Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 188
Hawkettes finish 4-0 at Prange Classic, surpass win total from last 3 seasons
With two more wins on Saturday in the Brent Prange Classic, the Ankeny softball team has now surpassed its victory total from each of the previous three seasons. The ninth-ranked Hawkettes, who went 4-0 in the tournament, are now 23-8 overall. They won 21 games last year, 19 in 2020 and 20 in 2019 under coach Dave Bingham. "It's always nice to win … [Read more...] about Hawkettes finish 4-0 at Prange Classic, surpass win total from last 3 seasons
Hawkettes split at Ames, move ahead of Centennial and into 3rd place
One of the oldest cliches in sports is that it's difficult to beat the same team three times. It's even more difficult to beat the same opponent five times. The Ankeny softball team discovered that reality on Wednesday, when the 14th-ranked Hawkettes split a doubleheader at No. 12 Ames. Ankeny posted a 7-2 victory in the opener for its fourth … [Read more...] about Hawkettes split at Ames, move ahead of Centennial and into 3rd place
Hawkettes sweep Mason City, move into 3rd-place tie with Centennial in league
It might be too late for the Ankeny softball team to contend for the CIML Iowa Conference title. But the 14th-ranked Hawkettes could still finish ahead of their crosstown rival. Ankeny won both games of a doubleheader on Monday at Mason City, 4-0 and 13-0 in four innings, to move into a third-place tie in the league with No. 5 Ankeny Centennial--which … [Read more...] about Hawkettes sweep Mason City, move into 3rd-place tie with Centennial in league
‘It was good to see us bounce back’: Hawkettes earn split against No. 1 NW
After suffering its worst loss of the season, the Ankeny softball team rebounded on Thursday with a victory over the No. 1 squad in Class 5A. The 14th-ranked Hawkettes snapped Waukee Northwest's 11-game winning streak with a 6-4 triumph in the second game of a doubleheader at Ankeny. The Wolves had allowed just nine runs in their previous 11 contests … [Read more...] about ‘It was good to see us bounce back’: Hawkettes earn split against No. 1 NW