(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Ankeny Centennial baseball team watched the Dowling Catholic dugout pour onto the field after the Maroons ended the first game of Monday’s doubleheader with a walk-off single. The Jaguars simply left that game in the rear view and focused on getting the win back in the second matchup. A five-RBI night for Brekken … [Read more...] about ‘You just have to be mentally tough’: Jags rebound from walk-off loss with 10-1 win
Baseball
‘Northwest is a really good team’: Wolves never trail, sweep twinbill at Centennial
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team entered Friday's doubleheader against visiting Waukee Northwest on a four-game winning streak and was one of five squads within a game of first place in the CIML Conference. Unfortunately, the Jaguars never held a lead while dropping both games of the twinbill. Northwest rolled to an 8-2 win in the opener and then held … [Read more...] about ‘Northwest is a really good team’: Wolves never trail, sweep twinbill at Centennial
‘There were a lot of heroes’: Jags outlast S.E. Polk in 11 innings to complete sweep
Will Nesler hit an RBI triple in the 11th inning to drive in the go-ahead run as the Ankeny Centennial baseball team completed a sweep of Wednesday's doubleheader at Southeast Polk with a 4-3 victory. The Jaguars overcame a 3-0 deficit by holding Southeast Polk scoreless over the final nine innings. "There were a lot of heroes," said Centennial coach … [Read more...] about ‘There were a lot of heroes’: Jags outlast S.E. Polk in 11 innings to complete sweep
‘We were very patient and disciplined’: Jaguars pull away late for 11-4 rivalry win
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial baseball teams were locked in a close battle in their first meeting of the season. Then the Jaguars just pulled away at the end. Centennial scored eight combined runs in the fourth and fifth innings to bust things open as the Jaguars secured an 11-4 victory over the visiting Hawks in a … [Read more...] about ‘We were very patient and disciplined’: Jaguars pull away late for 11-4 rivalry win
Centennial holds off Dragons’ 7th-inning rally to earn split after dropping opener
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team held on for a 6-5 victory against visiting Johnston to salvage a split of Thursday's CIML Conference doubleheader. After the Jaguars scored three runs in the sixth inning to build a 6-0 lead, Johnston then rallied for five runs in the seventh before Trae Houser came in and shut the door to earn a save. "Johnston made … [Read more...] about Centennial holds off Dragons’ 7th-inning rally to earn split after dropping opener
‘We certainly faced a villain tonight’: Waukee’s Moore shuts down Centennial
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team ran into one of the top pitchers in the CIML Conference in its league opener on Wednesday. Waukee got a strong outing from righthander Brayden Moore to post a 2-1 victory at Centennial. The Iowa Central recruit tossed a four-hitter and had four strikeouts. "He's one of the better pitchers in the area and has … [Read more...] about ‘We certainly faced a villain tonight’: Waukee’s Moore shuts down Centennial
Jaguars beat Roosevelt again, will host Waukee in CIML opener on Wednesday
The hitters on the Ankeny Centennial baseball team struggled against Des Moines Roosevelt starter Joey Ahrens on Tuesday night. Fortunately for Centennial, Ahrens wasn't able to pitch a complete game. The senior allowed just one run on three hits and had five strikeouts over the first four innings. But he was replaced after throwing 82 pitches, and the … [Read more...] about Jaguars beat Roosevelt again, will host Waukee in CIML opener on Wednesday
Jaguars defeat Bettendorf at Herkelman Invite before falling to Iowa City High, 2-1
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team split a pair of games on Saturday in the Herkelman Invitational at Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids. The Jaguars posted a 7-3 victory over Bettendorf before dropping a 2-1 decision to Iowa City High for their first loss of the season. "I'm really happy with the way the guys are playing right now," said Centennial … [Read more...] about Jaguars defeat Bettendorf at Herkelman Invite before falling to Iowa City High, 2-1
‘We got some great pitching’: Miller fans 10, leads Jags past Dallas Center-Grimes
A four-run fifth inning lifted the Ankeny Centennial baseball team to a 5-4 victory at Dallas Center-Grimes in a non-conference game on Thursday. The Mustangs held a 1-0 lead before Cade Newman hit a two-run single to spark Centennial's rally. The Jaguars later extended the margin to 5-2 on an RBI single by Will Nesler in the sixth. Dallas … [Read more...] about ‘We got some great pitching’: Miller fans 10, leads Jags past Dallas Center-Grimes
Experienced Jags return 2-way standout Morris, 4 other all-conference players
The fortunes of the Ankeny Centennial baseball team will revolve heavily around one of the state's best two-way players. Senior third baseman and pitcher Will Morris is one of seven returning starters from last year's squad that posted a 24-14 record. As a junior, he was one of 16 players from around the state named to the 2025 Super Team by the Iowa High … [Read more...] about Experienced Jags return 2-way standout Morris, 4 other all-conference players
‘Lake Land feels like the right place’: Jags’ Starr commits to play for Illinois JUCO
Ankeny Centennial pitcher and infielder Elijah Starr has committed to play baseball next year at Lake Land College in Mattoon, Ill. Starr picked the Lakers after looking at a variety of schools. "It was most definitely a tough decision," said Starr. "I had my decision narrowed down to Lake Land, Dodge City in Kansas, and Dakota County in Minnesota. All … [Read more...] about ‘Lake Land feels like the right place’: Jags’ Starr commits to play for Illinois JUCO
Centennial all-stater Morris headed to Iowa Central as two-way baseball player
Ankeny Centennial baseball standout Will Morris has decided to follow in the footsteps of his older brother. Morris, a pitcher and third baseman, has verbally committed to play for Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge. His brother, Trey, started his college career at Ellsworth Community College, then spent his sophomore year at Iowa Central before … [Read more...] about Centennial all-stater Morris headed to Iowa Central as two-way baseball player
Jags’ Morris named to 2025 Super Team; Bollwinkel lands spot on 4A 2nd team
Ankeny Centennial standouts Will Morris and Kohen Bollwinkel have earned all-state honors from the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association. Morris, a junior third baseman, was one of 16 players named to the 2025 Super Team. Senior outfielder Drew Owen of North Polk was also selected to the squad. Bollwinkel, a senior outfielder, received … [Read more...] about Jags’ Morris named to 2025 Super Team; Bollwinkel lands spot on 4A 2nd team
Centennial’s Bollwinkel, Morris joined by Ankeny’s Vos on all-conference first team
The Ankeny Centennial baseball duo of Kohen Bollwinkel and Will Morris has been named to the CIML Conference first team along with Ankeny standout Kinnick Vos. The all-conference teams were selected by a vote of the league's coaches. Morris, a junior infielder, was a unanimous pick. He helped the Jaguars to a 24-14 record. Morris led the team with a … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Bollwinkel, Morris joined by Ankeny’s Vos on all-conference first team
SUBSTATE SHOCKER: Linn-Mar cruises to 16-1 victory over No. 9 Jaguars in 6 innings
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) When it comes to postseason baseball, all it takes is one team to get hot at the right moment to end another squad’s season. Ninth-ranked Ankeny Centennial was hoping that it could reach a Class 4A substate final at No. 6 Iowa City Liberty and potentially advance to the state tournament for the first time in program … [Read more...] about SUBSTATE SHOCKER: Linn-Mar cruises to 16-1 victory over No. 9 Jaguars in 6 innings
Jaguars romp past Marshalltown in 6 innings, will host Linn-Mar on Monday
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) After three innings, the Ankeny Centennial baseball team found itself clinging to a one-run lead over visiting Marshalltown on Saturday. Then the Jaguars slammed the door shut. Ninth-ranked Centennial piled on nine runs in the next three innings to bring the Class 4A substate quarterfinal to an early end with an 11-1 … [Read more...] about Jaguars romp past Marshalltown in 6 innings, will host Linn-Mar on Monday
Jaguars close out regular season by splitting doubleheader against Waukee
Darin Severs tossed another gem as the Ankeny Centennial baseball team posted a 9-2 victory over visiting Waukee to salvage a split of Tuesday's make-up CIML Conference doubleheader. The 10th-ranked Warriors won the opener, 6-4, in 10 innings. That game was resumed on Tuesday after being suspended due to rain on June 18. No. 9 Centennial finished the … [Read more...] about Jaguars close out regular season by splitting doubleheader against Waukee
After losing on walk-off blast in 8th inning, Jaguars rally past Urbandale to earn split
Ankeny Centennial's lineup proved to be double trouble for the Urbandale baseball team on Monday night. The ninth-ranked Jaguars pounded out eight doubles among their 18 hits and posted a 10-5 road victory in the second game of a CIML Conference doubleheader, allowing them to salvage a split of the twinbill. Urbandale won the opener, 7-6, on Trey … [Read more...] about After losing on walk-off blast in 8th inning, Jaguars rally past Urbandale to earn split
Jaguars snap brief two-game skid with doubleheader sweep at Sioux City North
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team stepped out of CIML Conference play on Saturday and swept a non-conference doubleheader at Sioux City North. The ninth-ranked Jaguars posted an 8-4 victory in the first game, then completed the sweep with a 13-3 win. They improved to 21-11 on the season, while North's record fell to 27-11. Centennial used a five-run … [Read more...] about Jaguars snap brief two-game skid with doubleheader sweep at Sioux City North
Valley baseball team defeats Jaguars, moves into 3-way tie atop conference
The Valley baseball team moved into a tie for first place in the CIML Conference with an 8-1 victory at ninth-ranked Ankeny Centennial on Thursday. The Tigers' win, coupled with a loss by third-ranked Waukee Northwest to No. 5 Johnston, created a three-way tie atop the conference. They are now 14-8 in the league and 20-12 overall. Waukee Northwest also … [Read more...] about Valley baseball team defeats Jaguars, moves into 3-way tie atop conference