Scoring runs likely won't be a problem for the Ankeny softball team. The Hawkettes boast eight returning starters from last year's squad that posted a 19-11 record, including several potent hitters. "Our depth and growth is our greatest strength," said Ankeny coach Dave Bingham. "We will have speed and power on offense." Ankeny returns a pair of … [Read more...] about ‘We will have speed and power on offense’: Hawkettes boast loaded lineup
Softball
United States Marine Corps honors Murphy as Semper Fidelis All-American
Madeleine Murphy, a senior softball standout at Ankeny High School, was recognized as a Semper Fidelis All-American on Nov. 24. The United States Marine Corps is recognizing exemplary student athletes across the country through the Semper Fidelis All-American program. Now in its fourth year, the program features approximately 100 student athletes selected … [Read more...] about United States Marine Corps honors Murphy as Semper Fidelis All-American
Ankeny’s Murphy finds great fit at DMACC, will play softball for Bears
Ankeny outfielder Madeleine Murphy will continue her softball career at DMACC (Boone). Murphy helped the Hawkettes to a 19-11 record last season. "DMACC has a very talented program and amazing coaches," Murphy said. "I felt very welcomed when talking to the coaches and athletes and knew that the team would feel like family." Murphy said she only … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Murphy finds great fit at DMACC, will play softball for Bears
Ankeny’s Carter to join Centennial’s Schulz on Minnesota State softball roster
Last month, the Minnesota State softball program added a talented recruit from Ankeny in the Class of 2021. Now, the Mavericks have added another. Ankeny shortstop Marina Carter has verbally committed to play for Minnesota State, an NCAA Division II program. She follows in the footsteps of Ankeny Centennial catcher Ella Schulz, who committed to the … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Carter to join Centennial’s Schulz on Minnesota State softball roster
Ankeny’s Overturf verbally commits to play softball at Grand View
Ankeny first baseman Gillian Overturf has decided to stay close to home. The senior has verbally committed to play softball for Grand View University. She picked the Vikings over Luther, Coe and Hope College in Holland, Mich. "I'm really excited to play for Grand View," Overturf said. "It really wasn't a hard choice for me. All the other schools I … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Overturf verbally commits to play softball at Grand View
Ankeny phenom Johnson ranked No. 40 softball prospect in Class of 2024
Ankeny catcher Cassie Johnson emerged as one of the state's best young softball players during the 2020 season. Now, she's been recognized as one of the top players in the country. Johnson, a freshman, was ranked 40th in a top 100 ranking of the nation's best softball prospects in the Class of 2024. "I am so grateful to everyone that has helped me … [Read more...] about Ankeny phenom Johnson ranked No. 40 softball prospect in Class of 2024
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Eva Fulk, Ankeny softball
Sophomore outfielder Eva Fulk helped the Ankeny softball team to a 19-11 record this season. She has been named to the CIML Central Conference second team. Fulk posted a .338 average while starting 25 of the 30 games. She had four doubles, one triple and drove in 14 runs. Here is some inside info on Fulk: Congratulations on an outstanding season. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Eva Fulk, Ankeny softball
Blimpie Sub of the Week: McKayla Doyle, Ankeny softball
Junior catcher McKayla Doyle helped the Ankeny softball team to a 19-11 record this season. Doyle played in 17 games and made nine starts while backing up the team's No. 1 catcher, Cassie Johnson. She batted .368 with two doubles and four RBIs. "McKayla is unselfish and has showed up and done the work since seventh grade," said Ankeny coach Dave … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: McKayla Doyle, Ankeny softball
‘I trust my defense’: Billings hurls 3-hitter as Hawkettes earn split against Valley
If Ankeny softball coach Dave Bingham was still undecided about his pitching plans for the postseason, Monday's doubleheader against defending Class 5A state champion Valley may have helped him come to a decision. Sophomore Ashtyn Billings tossed a three-hitter in the nightcap as the 15th-ranked Hawkettes salvaged a split of the twinbill with a 1-0 … [Read more...] about ‘I trust my defense’: Billings hurls 3-hitter as Hawkettes earn split against Valley
Billings wins twice as Hawkettes sweep North to raise their record to 18-9
The Ankeny softball team picked up a pair of victories on Friday--and so did sophomore pitcher Ashtyn Billings. Billings earned the win in both games as 15th-ranked Ankeny swept a doubleheader at Des Moines North. The Hawkettes posted a 15-0 victory in three innings in the opener, then completed the sweep with a 13-0 win in five innings. Billings (9-5) … [Read more...] about Billings wins twice as Hawkettes sweep North to raise their record to 18-9
Overturf hits Ankeny’s 21st homer in 25 games, leads Hawkettes past Ballard
Many high school softball teams are fortunate to have one or two players who can hit the ball out of the park. Ankeny is blessed with several power hitters. Gillian Overturf homered and drove in four runs to lead the 15th-ranked Hawkettes to a 5-1 victory over Ballard in a non-conference game on Thursday. "This was a really important night for us," … [Read more...] about Overturf hits Ankeny’s 21st homer in 25 games, leads Hawkettes past Ballard
Hawkettes sweep S.E. Polk with pair of dramatic walk-off victories
If the Ankeny softball team hopes to reach the Class 5A state tournament, the Hawkettes may have to find some different ways to win a couple of regional games. The 15th-ranked Hawkettes proved on Wednesday that they might be able to do that. And Ankeny even defeated one of the teams, Southeast Polk, that it will have to beat in order to advance to Fort … [Read more...] about Hawkettes sweep S.E. Polk with pair of dramatic walk-off victories
Rumley hits her 37th career home run to break Lindaman’s Ankeny record
Ankeny's Jasmine Rumley has already set a bunch of records in the swimming pool. She's been a record-breaker on the softball field, too. The senior third baseman hit her 37th career home run on Tuesday during the Hawkettes' doubleheader split at Dowling Catholic. She broke the Ankeny career mark of 36 homers that was set by Kendyl Lindaman in … [Read more...] about Rumley hits her 37th career home run to break Lindaman’s Ankeny record
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kailey Becker, Ankeny softball
Senior second baseman Kailey Becker has helped the 15th-ranked Ankeny softball team to a 12-8 record. She is batting .279 with one triple, two doubles and 14 RBIs on the season. Becker went 2-for-4 and drove in four runs to lead Ankeny to an 11-8 victory over No. 5 Ankeny Centennial in the first game of a doubleheader on Wednesday. She was 2-for-2 with … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kailey Becker, Ankeny softball
BUBBLE BURSTERS: Hawkettes hold off Urbandale to complete twinbill sweep
The Ankeny softball team was three outs away from recording back-to-back shutouts in a doubleheader on Thursday at Urbandale. The 15th-ranked Hawkettes took a 6-0 lead into the seventh inning of the nightcap after winning the opener, 10-0, in five innings. Pitcher Ashtyn Billings cruised through the first six innings before running into trouble in the … [Read more...] about BUBBLE BURSTERS: Hawkettes hold off Urbandale to complete twinbill sweep
Hawkettes, Jaguars placed in different softball regionals in Class 5A
If there's another meeting between the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial softball teams, it will have to come at the state tournament in Fort Dodge. The fifth-ranked Jaguars and No. 15 Hawkettes have been placed in different regionals by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. The postseason pairings were announced on Thursday. Centennial (15-5) is the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, Jaguars placed in different softball regionals in Class 5A
Hawks sweep rival at Principal Park; Centennial salvages split in softball
Nobody had to remind Brody Brecht what happened last year when his Ankeny baseball team played crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial. Brecht allowed just two hits over six scoreless innings and had 13 strikeouts to lead the fifth-ranked Hawks past No. 10 Centennial, 2-1, in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader at Principal Park. Ankeny also won the … [Read more...] about Hawks sweep rival at Principal Park; Centennial salvages split in softball
‘It’s a karma thing’: Hawkettes drop both ends of twinbill against No. 3 Johnston
After moving into the Class 5A rankings for the first time, the Ankeny softball team has yet to win a game. The 15th-ranked Hawkettes lost both ends of a doubleheader on Monday against visiting Johnston, the No. 3 team in Class 5A. The Dragons posted a 7-5 victory in eight innings in the opener, then rallied from a 5-2 deficit to complete the sweep with a … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a karma thing’: Hawkettes drop both ends of twinbill against No. 3 Johnston
A PERFECT DOZEN: No. 2 Waukee sweeps Hawkettes, improves to 12-0
The Ankeny softball team had a chance to knock off second-ranked Waukee in the first game of Friday's doubleheader at Ankeny. In the second game, the No. 15 Hawkettes never had a chance. Waukee held on for a 2-1 victory in the opener, then completed a sweep with a 16-2 win over the Hawkettes. The Warriors improved to 12-0 on the season, while Ankeny's … [Read more...] about A PERFECT DOZEN: No. 2 Waukee sweeps Hawkettes, improves to 12-0
Hawkettes move into rankings after handing Valley its first loss
Slowly but surely, the Ankeny softball team is beginning to earn some respect. The Hawkettes moved into the Class 5A rankings for the first time this season on Thursday after splitting a doubleheader at No. 6 Valley on Wednesday. They are now ranked 15th with a 9-3 record. Ankeny coach Dave Bingham would have preferred to keep his team out of the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes move into rankings after handing Valley its first loss