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Baseball

‘We’ve got some really good culture guys’: Jaguars to rely on seniors

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There's no shortage of talent on this year's Ankeny Centennial baseball team. The Jaguars return several starters from last year's squad that went 28-12 for the most wins in school history. "We've got some really good culture guys," said Centennial coach Mark Hey. "Our seniors are tremendous leaders, and I'm just so excited that we get to have a season … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve got some really good culture guys’: Jaguars to rely on seniors

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Avery Gates, Ankeny Centennial senior

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Senior Avery Gates was expected to be one of the top sprinters for the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team. He helped the Jaguars to a 16th-place finish in last year's Class 4A state meet. Gates placed 13th in the 200 with a time of 22.60 seconds. He also ran on the third-place 4x400, fourth-place sprint medley and sixth-place 4x200 relays. Here is some … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Avery Gates, Ankeny Centennial senior

Centennial shortstop Gray to play baseball at Wartburg College

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Ankeny Centennial shortstop Keaton Gray has committed to play baseball for Wartburg College. The senior announced his decision via Twitter earlier this week. "I’m very excited to announce that I have committed to continue my academic and baseball career at Wartburg College," Gray tweeted. "I’m very thankful for the opportunities that I have been given … [Read more...] about Centennial shortstop Gray to play baseball at Wartburg College

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Tyler Heinzerling, Centennial baseball

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Tyler Heinzerling is a senior pitcher on the Ankeny Centennial baseball team. He threw 4 2/3 innings of shutout relief in the Jaguars' 6-3 loss to visiting Southeast Polk in a Class 4A substate final on July 24. Heinzerling compiled a 6-0 record with a 2.17 ERA while limiting opposing batters to a .213 average this season. He was named to the CIML Central … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Tyler Heinzerling, Centennial baseball

Brecht, Vermeer, Gray named to Central Conference first team

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Ankeny outfielder Brody Brecht and Ankeny Centennial catcher Ryan Vermeer were both unanimous picks to the CIML Central Conference first team by a vote of the league's baseball coaches. They were joined on the squad by Centennial shortstop Keaton Gray, who was named to an infield position. Vermeer, who was selected to a utility position, was also a repeat … [Read more...] about Brecht, Vermeer, Gray named to Central Conference first team

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Cory Prange, Centennial baseball

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Senior second baseman Cory Prange helped the fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial baseball team to a 28-12 record. The Jaguars tied for second place in the CIML Central Conference with a 12-8 mark. Prange batted .284 with one home run, four triples, four doubles and 24 RBIs. He also made eight appearances on the mound, posting a 2.63 ERA while recording five … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Cory Prange, Centennial baseball

S.E. Polk’s big first inning ends Jaguars’ winningest season in school history

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Tyler Heinzerling took a stroll in the outfield grass all by himself. Ankeny Centennial's senior pitcher stared off into the distance as he realized his high school baseball career was over. "This is my team here--my favorite team that I've ever played with," said Heinzerling. "I had confidence in all our guys. It just didn't end the way we wanted it … [Read more...] about S.E. Polk’s big first inning ends Jaguars’ winningest season in school history

‘I wanted to finish it’: Morris goes distance, leads Jags into substate final

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Ankeny Centennial's Trey Morris had not even thrown 70 pitches when he back out to the mound for the start of the seventh inning in Friday's Class 4A substate baseball quarterfinal against visiting Waterloo West. Despite temperatures in the 90s and with teammate Tyler Heinzerling warming up in the bullpen, Morris knew that there was enough life left in … [Read more...] about ‘I wanted to finish it’: Morris goes distance, leads Jags into substate final

No. 4 Jaguars salvage split against No. 10 Mason City on Neils’ shutout

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When the Ankeny Centennial baseball team opens postseason play on Friday, head coach Mark Hey will have a lot of different pitching options. Junior righthander Logan Neils made a strong case for himself with a brilliant outing on Monday. He allowed just three hits and had nine strikeouts over the first 6 2/3 innings to lead the fourth-ranked Jaguars to an … [Read more...] about No. 4 Jaguars salvage split against No. 10 Mason City on Neils’ shutout

Jaguars extend winning streak to 6 before losing nightcap to S.C. North

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The bottom third of the lineup continues to produce for the Ankeny Centennial baseball team. No. 7 hitter Keaton Gray led the seventh-ranked Jaguars to a 6-3 victory over visiting Sioux City North in the first game of a non-conference doubleheader on Saturday. The junior shortstop went 3-for-3 with a double and triple, scored two runs and knocked in … [Read more...] about Jaguars extend winning streak to 6 before losing nightcap to S.C. North

Jaguars top East, will host doubleheader against Ankeny on Thursday

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The seventh-ranked Ankeny Centennial baseball team rallied for a 6-3 victory at Des Moines East in a non-conference game on Wednesday. The Jaguars scored a run in the sixth inning to tie the game at 2-2, then erupted for four more in the seventh to win for the ninth time in their last 10 contests. They raised their record to 23-9 on the season. The … [Read more...] about Jaguars top East, will host doubleheader against Ankeny on Thursday

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Gabriel Monosmith, Centennial baseball

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Gabriel Monosmith is a member of the Ankeny Centennial baseball team. The sophomore catcher has helped the seventh-ranked Jaguars to a 22-9 record. He has played in 17 games, including nine starts, and is batting .226 with four doubles and 11 RBIs. "Gabe has really developed this season both as a catcher and as a hitter," said Centennial coach Mark … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Gabriel Monosmith, Centennial baseball

Jaguars edge Urbandale twice, allowing Johnston to capture conference title

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The Ankeny Centennial baseball team appears to be ready for postseason play. The seventh-ranked Jaguars swept a doubleheader against No. 4 Urbandale, 5-4 and 9-8, on Monday at Centennial. The sweep avenged two earlier losses to the J-Hawks and allowed No. 1 Johnston to clinch the outright CIML Central Conference title. "Both games were nailbiters," … [Read more...] about Jaguars edge Urbandale twice, allowing Johnston to capture conference title

Substate pairings: Jaguars to host Waterloo West, Ankeny to host Ft. Dodge

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The Class 4A substate baseball pairings have now been determined. Seventh-ranked Ankeny Centennial has received the No. 1 seed in Substate 3, giving the Jaguars a more favorable path to the state tournament than crosstown rival Ankeny, which was awarded the No. 3 seed in Substate 2. The Hawks will likely have to win three games in order to reach Principal … [Read more...] about Substate pairings: Jaguars to host Waterloo West, Ankeny to host Ft. Dodge

Jaguars split with Dowling as Meador tosses 5-hitter in 3-2 victory in opener

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There is no shortage of outstanding pitchers in the Central Iowa Metropolitan League. Monday's baseball doubleheader between seventh-ranked Ankeny Centennial and No. 9 Dowling Catholic was clear evidence of that. The two squads split a low-scoring twinbill at Dowling. Centennial posted a 3-2 victory in the opener before the Maroons rebounded to win the … [Read more...] about Jaguars split with Dowling as Meador tosses 5-hitter in 3-2 victory in opener

Jags rally past North Scott, then blank West Delaware behind Heinzerling

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A late rally and a strong pitching performance allowed the Ankeny Centennial baseball team to pick up two more victories on Saturday at Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids. The ninth-ranked Jaguars overcame a 6-3 deficit to beat North Scott, 9-6, in eight innings. They then got five no-hit innings from senior Tyler Heinzerling in a 4-0 win over West … [Read more...] about Jags rally past North Scott, then blank West Delaware behind Heinzerling