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
Softball
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
Hawkettes top Fort Dodge in 9 innings before Dodgers snap AHS winning streak
The Ankeny softball team's winning streak finally came to an end on Monday night. But not until after the 15th-ranked Hawkettes proved that they can play with one of the state's best squads. Ankeny posted a 2-1 victory at No. 4 Fort Dodge in nine innings before the Dodgers rebounded to win the nightcap of a doubleheader, 9-4. That loss ended the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes top Fort Dodge in 9 innings before Dodgers snap AHS winning streak
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Mariah Parton, Ankeny softball
Senior outfielder Mariah Parton has helped the 15th-ranked Ankeny softball team to an 11-4 record. She is batting .478 with a team-high 22 RBIs and has stolen 12 bases in 13 attempts. Parton went 2-for-3, stole four bases and scored three runs in Ankeny's 4-3 win over Mount Ayr in the John Stevens Classic on Saturday at Creston. She was named the team's … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Mariah Parton, Ankeny softball
‘We’ve got something special’: Hawkettes complete 8-0 week with 2 more wins
The 15th-ranked Ankeny softball team is one of the hottest squads in the state. The Hawkettes extended their winning streak to eight games with two more victories on Saturday in the John Stevens Classic at Creston. They posted a 4-3 win over Mount Ayr, then followed with a 5-3 triumph over Knoxville--the No. 10 team in Class 4A. Ankeny, which also won … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve got something special’: Hawkettes complete 8-0 week with 2 more wins
Surging Hawkettes rout Atlantic, Creston, will play two more games on Saturday
Ankeny's Kendra Winfrey punished the Creston softball team with her bat during the John Stevens Classic on Friday. The junior's left arm was a potent weapon as well. Winfrey went 4-for-4 with a home run, a double and four RBIs while also pitching four scoreless innings to lead the 15th-ranked Hawkettes to a 15-0 victory over host Creston, the No. 9 … [Read more...] about Surging Hawkettes rout Atlantic, Creston, will play two more games on Saturday
Billings, Hawkettes sweep Marshalltown, extend winning streak to 4 games
Ashtyn Billings and the Ankeny softball team enjoyed a big day on Wednesday at Marshalltown. Billings (2-2) tossed a three-hitter and had five strikeouts to lead the Hawkettes to a 12-0 victory in six innings in the first game of a CIML Iowa Conference doubleheader. She also went 2-for-4 at the plate and drove in three runs. Billings then went 4-for-4 … [Read more...] about Billings, Hawkettes sweep Marshalltown, extend winning streak to 4 games
‘We came out and took care of business’: Hawkettes sweep No. 13 Ames
The Ames softball team entered Monday's doubleheader at Ankeny with an 8-1 record and a No. 13 ranking in Class 5A. It has been an impressive start for the Little Cyclones, but they have yet to play any of the three top-five teams in the CIML Iowa Conference--No. 1 Waukee Northwest, No. 2 Fort Dodge and No. 5 Ankeny Centennial. The Ames players … [Read more...] about ‘We came out and took care of business’: Hawkettes sweep No. 13 Ames
‘Slap Squad’ ignites Hawkettes to doubleheader sweep over Mason City
The first three batters in the Ankeny softball team's lineup are all slap hitters. Ankeny coach Dave Bingham calls them "The Slap Squad". That trio of Larissa Miller, Eva Fulk and Mariah Parton ignited the Hawkettes to a doubleheader sweep over visiting Mason City on Tuesday. They combined for seven hits, six runs scored and six RBIs in the first … [Read more...] about ‘Slap Squad’ ignites Hawkettes to doubleheader sweep over Mason City
‘We made a nice jump’: Hawkettes score 4 runs in 7th to seal 7-2 win at Carlisle
The Ankeny softball team used a four-run seventh inning to seal a 7-2 victory at Carlisle in a non-conference game on Friday. The Hawkettes improved their record to 1-2 after losing both ends of a doubleheader at fifth-ranked Waukee Northwest on Monday. It was the season opener for Carlisle, the No. 9 team in Class 4A. "Carlisle and Northwest are very … [Read more...] about ‘We made a nice jump’: Hawkettes score 4 runs in 7th to seal 7-2 win at Carlisle
Hawkettes waste 2-hitter by Billings, drop both games of twinbill at Waukee NW
After losing both games of a season-opening doubleheader at fifth-ranked Waukee Northwest on Monday, the Ankeny softball team will have a few days to regroup. The Hawkettes--who won't play again until Friday at Carlisle--dropped a 2-0 decision in the opener. Waukee Northwest then completed a sweep of the CIML Iowa Conference twinbill with a 5-3 … [Read more...] about Hawkettes waste 2-hitter by Billings, drop both games of twinbill at Waukee NW
THE LOSS OF A LEGEND: Coaching giant Rasmussen passes away at 85
The community of Ankeny has lost one of its most prominent citizens. Dick Rasmussen, the legendary softball and girls' basketball coach at Ankeny High School, passed away early Friday morning at the age of 85. "I will miss him," said current Ankeny softball coach Dave Bingham. "I love him and (his wife) Sue." Rasmussen coached at South Hamilton … [Read more...] about THE LOSS OF A LEGEND: Coaching giant Rasmussen passes away at 85
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kendra Winfrey, Ankeny girls’ track/softball
Ankeny junior Kendra Winfrey placed second in the shot put on Friday in the girls' Class 4A state track meet at Drake Stadium. She uncorked a throw of 39 feet 11 inches on her final attempt, allowing her to move up from fourth place. Winfrey helped Ankeny to a seventh-place finish overall. She contributed eight of the Hawkettes' 44.5 points. Winfrey is … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kendra Winfrey, Ankeny girls’ track/softball
Following Rasmussen’s death, Hawkettes will continue to honor program’s legacy
Ankeny softball coach Dave Bingham said he often thinks about Dick Rasmussen, the legendary coach who guided the Hawkettes to 12 state championships. Rasmussen passed away early Friday morning at the age of 85. "The legacy he and his girls created is a powerful standard that can't be measured," Bingham said. "I think about him before and after every … [Read more...] about Following Rasmussen’s death, Hawkettes will continue to honor program’s legacy
‘I loved the small town atmosphere’: Ankeny’s Parton to play softball at Central
Ankeny outfielder Mariah Parton has signed a letter of intent to play softball next year at Central College. Parton said it wasn't a difficult decision. "I loved the small town atmosphere and family-like bond of the team," Parton said. "The campus is gorgeous, and everyone is super supportive both in Ankeny and Pella. The softball team has a lot of … [Read more...] about ‘I loved the small town atmosphere’: Ankeny’s Parton to play softball at Central