Ankeny Fanatic

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Baseball

Inexperienced Jaguars ‘just want to improve each week’ throughout season

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With only four returning starters, the Ankeny Centennial baseball team enters the season with a lot of question marks. Centennial coach Mark Hey is optimistic, though, that he'll be able to find some answers. "We have some really talented young players who have good instincts for the game," Hey said. "I think we have several pitchers who will have … [Read more...] about Inexperienced Jaguars ‘just want to improve each week’ throughout season

Hansen to play for Morningside, while Monosmith commits to Iowa Lakes

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Two more members of the Ankeny Centennial baseball team have made their college plans. Senior pitcher Trey Hansen has committed to play for Morningside College. Senior outfielder Gabriel Monosmith is headed to Iowa Lakes Community College. "It was a tough decision," said Monosmith. "COVID-19 and the NCAA decisions made my search challenging. I did … [Read more...] about Hansen to play for Morningside, while Monosmith commits to Iowa Lakes

Centennial’s Powell commits to play for Illinois Central Community College

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Ankeny Centennial's Jackson Powell is hoping to eventually play baseball at the Division I level. The senior catcher ultimately decided that the best way to get there is to go to a junior college first. "It's been a crazy year with COVID-19, and all of the additional years of eligibility given to collegiate athletes has really messed things up with the … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Powell commits to play for Illinois Central Community College

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Keaton Gray, Ankeny Centennial baseball

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Senior shortstop Keaton Gray helped the Ankeny Centennial baseball team to a 14-12 record this season. He was a repeat selection to the CIML Central Conference first team. Gray batted .333 and had 12 RBIs. He scored a team-high 19 runs for the Jaguars. Here is some inside info on Gray: Congratulations on an outstanding season. Are you satisfied with … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Keaton Gray, Ankeny Centennial baseball

Brecht, Gray again named to CIML Central Conference first team

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If the baseball coaches in the CIML Central Conference wanted to build a team from scratch, Ankeny pitcher Brody Brecht might be one of the first players selected. Ankeny Centennial shortstop Keaton Gray would be another player that coaches could build a team around. Both Brecht and Gray have been named to the Central Conference first team for the … [Read more...] about Brecht, Gray again named to CIML Central Conference first team

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Eliot Alberhasky, Ankeny Centennial baseball

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Junior Eliot Alberhasky is a member of the eighth-ranked Ankeny Centennial baseball team. He helped the Jaguars to a 14-12 record this season. Alberhasky compiled a 2-2 mark on the mound with a 4.85 ERA. He limited opposing batters to a .178 average. Alberhasky posted wins over Marshalltown on June 19 and Valley on June 26. He allowed no earned runs … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Eliot Alberhasky, Ankeny Centennial baseball

‘I love those guys with all my heart’: Centennial seniors bow out with 5-3 loss

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The Ankeny Centennial baseball team tried to keep its season alive with a dramatic seventh-inning rally. Trailing 5-2 against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt in a Class 4A substate semifinal on Monday, the eighth-ranked Jaguars loaded the bases with one out against Roughriders reliever Will Armstrong. "I was so proud of our guys," said Centennial coach … [Read more...] about ‘I love those guys with all my heart’: Centennial seniors bow out with 5-3 loss

Morris mows down Ottumwa; Jaguars will host semifinal against Roosevelt next

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It took only two batters for the Ottumwa baseball team to jump out to an early lead in Friday's Class 4A substate game at Ankeny Centennial. If the Bulldogs thought they had solved Centennial pitcher Trey Morris, they were wrong. Morris recovered after a shaky start and tossed a three-hitter to lead the eighth-ranked Jaguars to a 5-1 victory. He racked … [Read more...] about Morris mows down Ottumwa; Jaguars will host semifinal against Roosevelt next

TREY-MENDOUS!

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Trey Morris tossed a three-hitter and had 14 strikeouts to lead the eighth-ranked Ankeny Centennial baseball team to a 5-1 victory over visiting Ottumwa in the opening round of a Class 4A substate tournament on Friday. Morris allowed an RBI double by Mitch Wood in the first inning, but then struck out the next six batters and retired 11 in a row before … [Read more...] about TREY-MENDOUS!

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ryan Vermeer, Ankeny Centennial baseball

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Senior catcher Ryan Vermeer has helped the 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial baseball team to a 13-11 record. He went 3-for-5 with a double and two RBIs as the Jaguars closed out the regular season on Friday by sweeping a doubleheader against visiting Ames. Vermeer, who is batting .194 with three doubles and nine RBIs, is a two-time all-conference first-team … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ryan Vermeer, Ankeny Centennial baseball

‘Exactly what I needed’: Morris tunes up for postseason with 1-hitter against Ames

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A 60-pitch tuneup was just what Ankeny Centennial senior Trey Morris needed to get ready for the postseason. Morris tossed a one-hitter and had five strikeouts to lead the 10th-ranked Jaguars to a 10-0 victory over visiting Ames in five innings in the first game of a CIML baseball doubleheader on Friday. He also went 2-for-2 at the plate and drove in two … [Read more...] about ‘Exactly what I needed’: Morris tunes up for postseason with 1-hitter against Ames

Dowling’s misfortune allows Hawks to earn No. 1 seed, bye into substate final

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The Ankeny baseball team will only have to win one game to qualify for this year's state tournament. However, the third-ranked Hawks will also have to overcome an eight-day layoff to earn a return trip to Principal Park. Ankeny (15-7) has been awarded the No. 1 seed in Class 4A Substate 8 after top-ranked Dowling Catholic was forced to cancel the rest … [Read more...] about Dowling’s misfortune allows Hawks to earn No. 1 seed, bye into substate final

Jaguars fall to .500 mark after being swept by Johnston for second time

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Time is running out on the Ankeny Centennial baseball team. The 10th-ranked Jaguars were swept by No. 2 Johnston for the second time this season on Wednesday at Centennial. The Dragons posted 9-6 and 6-1 victories to extend their winning streak to seven games while raising their record to 17-3. Centennial, meanwhile, dropped to 11-11 after getting off … [Read more...] about Jaguars fall to .500 mark after being swept by Johnston for second time

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Dane Churchman, Ankeny Centennial baseball

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Senior Dane Churchman is a member of the Ankeny Centennial baseball team. He has helped the 10th-ranked Jaguars to an 11-9 record. Churchman has compiled a 3-0 mark on the mound with a 0.94 ERA. He has racked up 18 strikeouts while limiting opposing hitters to a .235 average. "Dane is what we call a grinder," said Centennial coach Mark Hey. "He gets … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Dane Churchman, Ankeny Centennial baseball

Trey bien: Morris, Hansen shine on mound as Centennial splits at Waukee

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Two ranked baseball teams fighting to stay at or above the .500 mark collided on Monday at Waukee. The doubleheader resulted in a split. Ninth-ranked Waukee posted a 2-0 victory in the opener before No. 10 Ankeny Centennial bounced back with a 6-4 win in the nightcap. The Jaguars (11-9) turned in some outstanding pitching performances in both … [Read more...] about Trey bien: Morris, Hansen shine on mound as Centennial splits at Waukee

Churchman tosses 4-hit shutout, allows Jaguars to earn split at No. 4 S.E. Polk

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With the start of postseason play just two weeks away, Ankeny Centennial baseball coach Mark Hey will have to make some decisions soon about his pitching plans for the substate tournament. Senior righthander Dane Churchman is one of several options for Hey, and he did nothing on Thursday to take himself out of the running for a postseason … [Read more...] about Churchman tosses 4-hit shutout, allows Jaguars to earn split at No. 4 S.E. Polk

Centennial splits against No. 3 Urbandale in potential substate preview

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Monday's doubleheader between the Ankeny Centennial and Urbandale baseball teams resulted in a split. The two squads may get a chance to break the tie next month. The third-ranked J-Hawks and No. 10 Centennial have both been placed in Class 4A Substate 7. If they meet again, it would likely be in a substate final. "That's always a motivational … [Read more...] about Centennial splits against No. 3 Urbandale in potential substate preview