Ankeny Fanatic

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Baseball

Centennial baseball team ends losing skid with sweep over Tigers

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After scoring a total of just seven runs during a four-game losing streak, the Ankeny Centennial baseball team needed to bounce back Friday in a big way. The Jaguars responded with a doubleheader sweep over visiting Valley. Centennial rallied from an early 3-0 deficit to post a 7-5 victory in the opener, then followed with a 4-1 triumph in the second … [Read more...] about Centennial baseball team ends losing skid with sweep over Tigers

Cox fires 1-hitter to complete Maroons’ sweep over Centennial

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Even without Carter Baumler, the Dowling Catholic baseball team still boasts some talented pitchers. The seventh-ranked Maroons got a one-hitter from Connor Cox and posted a 4-0 victory over visiting Ankeny Centennial to complete a sweep of Wednesday's CIML doubleheader. Dowling won the first game, 4-3, as a trio of pitchers combined to scatter seven … [Read more...] about Cox fires 1-hitter to complete Maroons’ sweep over Centennial

No. 4 Dragons sweep Centennial in matchup of unbeaten baseball teams

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The Johnston baseball team entered Monday's doubleheader against Ankeny Centennial with an impressive resume. The fourth-ranked Dragons had played only one seven-inning game while outscoring their first six opponents by an 87-4 margin. Only once had the Dragons scored fewer than 12 runs in the first week of the season. The visiting Jaguars managed to … [Read more...] about No. 4 Dragons sweep Centennial in matchup of unbeaten baseball teams

Alberhasky, Churchman hurl Centennial baseball team to sweep over Bobcats

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The Ankeny Centennial baseball team just keeps rolling along. The Jaguars swept another CIML doubleheader on Friday, posting 6-0 and 4-2 victories over visiting Marshalltown. They improved to 6-0 on the season, while the winless Bobcats fell to 0-6. "We're off to a nice start," said Centennial coach Mark Hey. "We got some really good pitching on … [Read more...] about Alberhasky, Churchman hurl Centennial baseball team to sweep over Bobcats

Jaguars complete sweep over East on Gray’s walk-off triple in 9th inning

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Seven of the top 10 teams in the Class 4A preseason rankings by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association are from the Central Iowa Metropolitan League. Ankeny Centennial isn't one of them, but the Jaguars are making a strong case to be included in the next rankings. After sweeping No. 9 Des Moines Roosevelt in its season opener on Monday, … [Read more...] about Jaguars complete sweep over East on Gray’s walk-off triple in 9th inning

Unranked–and underrated?–Jaguars sweep No. 9 Roosevelt at Principal Park

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Much of the attention on Monday's baseball doubleheader between Ankeny Centennial and Des Moines Roosevelt was focused on the national anthem. But once the games began at Principal Park, the Jaguars showed that they might be an underrated team in Class 4A. After the Roosevelt players knelt during the anthem to join the ongoing protest against racial … [Read more...] about Unranked–and underrated?–Jaguars sweep No. 9 Roosevelt at Principal Park

‘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