Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Softball

‘I felt so at peace with Northwestern’: Ankeny’s Billings to play for Red Raiders

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Ankeny softball player Ashtyn Billings is headed to Orange City. The senior pitcher has verbally committed to play for Northwestern College. She picked the Red Raiders over Simpson College and a few junior colleges. "It was not a tough decision for me," said Billings. "I felt so at peace with Northwestern the second I set foot on campus!" Billings … [Read more...] about ‘I felt so at peace with Northwestern’: Ankeny’s Billings to play for Red Raiders

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny softball team (1st team)

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Ankeny softball star Jenny Voss wanted to end her high school career with another state championship in the summer of 1996. When she found out that legendary coach Dick Rasmussen was going to retire at the end of the season, her motivation to win soared even higher. "After finding out he was retiring, all the things--big and small--just meant that much … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny softball team (1st team)

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny softball team (2nd team)

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Earlier this week, Ankeny Fanatic announced the first of three teams that comprise the all-time Ankeny softball team--the 12 players on the third team. Today, we are announcing the second team. The first team will be unveiled by the end of the week. Holly Voss, a standout pitcher and outfielder at Ankeny about three decades ago, is one of the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny softball team (2nd team)

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny softball team (3rd team)

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No athletic program in Ankeny's history has had more success than the community's softball team. Ankeny High School has won a record 13 state championships, four more than any other program in the state. The Hawkettes have also made 27 state tournament appearances, tied for the third most ever in Iowa. Ankeny enjoyed most of its success under legendary … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny softball team (3rd team)

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Marina Carter, Ankeny softball

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Senior shortstop Marina Carter led the Ankeny softball team to a 21-17 record this season. She earned all-state honors for the second straight year, landing a spot on the Class 5A first team from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Carter batted .496 with four home runs and 54 RBIs. She tied for 10th in the state with 18 doubles. Here is some inside … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Marina Carter, Ankeny softball

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Praze Buchan, Ankeny softball

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Sophomore Praze Buchan is a member of the Ankeny softball team. She helped the Hawkettes to a 21-17 record this season. Buchan played in 19 games and started six times. She batted .457 with three doubles and 10 RBIs. "Praze is a consistent, reliable presence at the plate," said Ankeny coach Dave Bingham. "She came in clutch for us several times late in … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Praze Buchan, Ankeny softball

Klug, Schulz, Carter, Overturf named to Class 5A West all-district team

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Two Ankeny Centennial softball stars have been named to the all-district team along with a pair of standouts from Ankeny. Senior pitcher Sam Klug and senior catcher Ella Schulz of Centennial were both selected to the Class 5A West squad by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. They were joined on the all-district team by senior shortstop Marina Carter and … [Read more...] about Klug, Schulz, Carter, Overturf named to Class 5A West all-district team

Hawkettes, Jaguars each place 4 players on academic all-state team

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Four players from both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial softball teams have been named to the academic all-state team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Senior outfielders Madeleine Murphy and Shelby Romig were among the Ankeny players honored. The others were senior infielders Alex Brooks and Hannah Hogan. Senior catcher Ella Schulz was among … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, Jaguars each place 4 players on academic all-state team

‘We felt good, and then we didn’t’: Hawkettes’ lead evaporates in 5th inning

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Marina Carter did everything she could to lead the Ankeny softball team to a victory on Monday over its crosstown rival. It just wasn't enough. Carter made a few outstanding defensive plays at shortstop and also slugged a two-run homer for the visiting Hawkettes, but 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial rallied for a 4-2 victory in a Class 5A regional … [Read more...] about ‘We felt good, and then we didn’t’: Hawkettes’ lead evaporates in 5th inning

‘I was confident we could come back’: Centennial rallies past rival for 4-2 victory

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After giving up a two-run homer to Ankeny's Marina Carter in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Monday, Ankeny Centennial pitcher Sam Klug wasn't worried. "I was confident we could come back," Klug said. "Very confident." The 10th-ranked Jaguars rallied for three runs in the fifth inning to erase Ankeny's 2-0 lead, then added another run in the sixth to … [Read more...] about ‘I was confident we could come back’: Centennial rallies past rival for 4-2 victory

Hawkettes sweep Ames, earn 3rd-place finish in CIML Iowa Conference

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When Kendra Winfrey took over on the mound Tuesday for the Ankeny softball team, she had confidence that the Hawkettes would be able to come back against visiting Ames in the first game of a doubleheader. It took a little while, but Winfrey was right. Ankeny used an eight-run outburst in the fifth inning to erase an 8-2 deficit and went on to post an … [Read more...] about Hawkettes sweep Ames, earn 3rd-place finish in CIML Iowa Conference

Hawkettes to host Ames in battle for 3rd place in CIML Iowa Conference

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The Ankeny softball team will close out the regular season on Tuesday by hosting its final CIML Iowa Conference doubleheader against Ames. The two squads, who split a twinbill on June 16, are battling for third place in the league. Ankeny (9-9, 19-16) had its four-game winning streak snapped on Saturday with a 7-3 loss to visiting North Polk in a … [Read more...] about Hawkettes to host Ames in battle for 3rd place in CIML Iowa Conference

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Gillian Overturf, Ankeny softball

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Senior first baseman Gillian Overturf has helped the Ankeny softball team to a 19-16 record. Overturf is batting .452 with 44 RBIs. She leads the Hawkettes with five home runs and 16 doubles. Here is some inside info on Overturf: Congratulations on an outstanding season thus far. What has been the highlight for you? Thank you! This season has … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Gillian Overturf, Ankeny softball

‘Our team is confident in our abilities’: Hawkettes win twice at Ottumwa Invite

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On two separate occasions this season, the Ankeny softball team's record dipped to the .500 mark after going through a difficult stretch. Each time, the Hawkettes responded with a winning streak. After getting off to a 5-0 start this season, Ankeny dropped its next five games before going on another five-game winning streak. Now, after falling to … [Read more...] about ‘Our team is confident in our abilities’: Hawkettes win twice at Ottumwa Invite

Hawkettes commit just 1 error in doubleheader sweep at Marshalltown

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The Ankeny softball team has had a Jekyll and Hyde personality this season. On some nights, the Hawkettes have played like one of the best teams in Class 5A. But on other nights, they have struggled tremendously--especially in the field. Coach Dave Bingham's team cleaned up its defensive mistakes on Wednesday and rolled to a doubleheader sweep at … [Read more...] about Hawkettes commit just 1 error in doubleheader sweep at Marshalltown