Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Softball

‘Slap Squad’ ignites Hawkettes to doubleheader sweep over Mason City

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

‘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