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
Softball
Hawkettes open season with impressive sweep over Dowling Catholic
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
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
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’
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
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
‘I’m super excited to play with her again’: Ankeny’s Miller to join Fulk at Indian Hills
Two of the standouts on the 2022 Ankeny softball team will be reunited at Indian Hills Community College in the fall of 2023. Outfielder Eva Fulk is currently on the Warriors' roster after graduating from Ankeny last spring. She initially committed to join Northern Iowa's women's track and field program before deciding to play softball instead. Now, … [Read more...] about ‘I’m super excited to play with her again’: Ankeny’s Miller to join Fulk at Indian Hills
‘Sioux Falls always stood out to me’: Riesberg to play softball for Cougars
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
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