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