The hype surrounding the Ankeny Centennial baseball team appears to be justified--based on its season opener. Ranked second in Class 4A in the preseason rankings by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association, the Jaguars kicked off the 2023 campaign with a 9-0 victory over Webster City on Monday. The non-conference game was played at Walt Anderson … [Read more...] about Oakie, Alberhasky combine on 2-hitter with 18 K’s in Jaguars’ 9-0 victory
Baseball
‘There is depth at all positions’: ACHS baseball team boasts loaded roster
The Ankeny Centennial baseball program is still seeking its first trip to the Class 4A state tournament. This year's team appears to have the talent to end that drought. The Jaguars return many of the key players from last year's squad that posted a 25-14 record and battled eventual state champion Johnston into the bottom of the seventh inning in a … [Read more...] about ‘There is depth at all positions’: ACHS baseball team boasts loaded roster
‘It felt like a place that could lead me to grow’: Jags’ Severson to play for Tritons
Ankeny Centennial baseball standout Nick Severson has decided to go the junior college route. Severson, a senior catcher, announced on Monday that he has verbally committed to play for Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge. "I had some other schools looking at me, and I received offers from some of them like Northwest Missouri State," said … [Read more...] about ‘It felt like a place that could lead me to grow’: Jags’ Severson to play for Tritons
‘Upper Iowa really stood out to me’: Churchman to play for Peacocks
Ankeny Centennial baseball standout Damin Churchman has verbally committed to play for Upper Iowa. Churchman said he looked at many schools before choosing the Peacocks. "Most of them were in state," he said. "But Upper Iowa really stood out to me. I felt a quick bond with the coaching staff, and ultimately the way they run their baseball program and … [Read more...] about ‘Upper Iowa really stood out to me’: Churchman to play for Peacocks
‘Wartburg just felt like home to me’: Grider to play baseball for Knights
Ankeny Centennial outfielder Cole Grider has committed to play baseball at Wartburg College. Grider announced his decision via Twitter on Tuesday. "I am proud to announce my commitment to Wartburg College," Grider tweeted. "Thank you to all my coaches, teammates and family for putting me in a position to succeed. Go Knights." Grider helped … [Read more...] about ‘Wartburg just felt like home to me’: Grider to play baseball for Knights
‘It was a relief to make the decision’: Pratt commits to Minnesota State-Mankato
The Pratt household in Ankeny has been a busy place in recent months with a pair of high school athletes attracting the attention of college coaches. Some of that activity may slow down a little bit now. Ankeny Centennial senior Easton Pratt has verbally committed to play baseball at Minnesota State-Mankato. He announced his decision via Twitter on … [Read more...] about ‘It was a relief to make the decision’: Pratt commits to Minnesota State-Mankato
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Lincoln Lacey, Ankeny Centennial baseball
Senior pitcher and first baseman Lincoln Lacey helped the Ankeny Centennial baseball team to a 25-14 record this season. He went 5-0 on the mound with a 2.01 ERA while batting .360 with four doubles and 16 RBIs. Lacey was a repeat pick to the CIML Iowa Conference second team. He played for the Large Schools West team in the 2022 Iowa High School … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Lincoln Lacey, Ankeny Centennial baseball
Centennial’s Lacey selected to play in IHSBCA All-Star Series in Mason City
Ankeny Centennial senior Lincoln Lacey has been selected to play in the 2022 Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association All-Star Series. The games will be played Friday through Sunday at Mason City. Lacey will play for the Large Schools West team coached by Blake Utley of Fort Dodge. Utley will be assisted by Jon Fitzpatrick of Indianola and Trevor … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Lacey selected to play in IHSBCA All-Star Series in Mason City
Patton, Webb-Tate, Oakie are unanimous picks to Iowa Conference first team
Ankeny baseball stars Jamison Patton and Tamden Webb-Tate were both unanimous selections to the CIML Iowa Conference first team along with Ankeny Centennial standout Joey Oakie. The all-conference teams, voted on by the league's coaches, were announced on Monday. Three other Jaguars earned first-team honors. They are Nick Severson, Damin Churchman and … [Read more...] about Patton, Webb-Tate, Oakie are unanimous picks to Iowa Conference first team
Q & A with Ankeny Centennial sophomore pitcher Joey Oakie
Sophomore pitcher Joey Oakie was one of the stars of the Ankeny Centennial baseball team. He posted a 3-3 record with a 1.92 ERA and a team-high 63 strikeouts this season. He also batted .347 with one home run, six doubles and 21 RBIs. Here is a Q & A between Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm and Oakie, who was planning to attend the Class 4A … [Read more...] about Q & A with Ankeny Centennial sophomore pitcher Joey Oakie
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kyle Miller, Ankeny Centennial baseball
Junior third baseman Kyle Miller helped the fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial baseball team to a 25-14 record this season. The Jaguars tied for second place in the CIML Iowa Conference with a 16-6 mark. Miller batted .383 with three home runs, seven doubles and 25 RBIs. He had a pair of hits in the Jaguars' 3-2 loss at No. 1 Johnston in a Class 4A substate … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kyle Miller, Ankeny Centennial baseball
‘We gave it our all’: Jaguars push No. 1 Johnston to the limit in substate final
The members of the Ankeny Centennial baseball team shared some hugs on the field Wednesday. Even though their season didn't end the way they wanted it to, the Jaguars are still a close-knit group. "I'm so proud of my teammates," said sophomore pitcher Joey Oakie. "I couldn't ask for anyone better to be my teammates. They're my brothers, and since the … [Read more...] about ‘We gave it our all’: Jaguars push No. 1 Johnston to the limit in substate final
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 190
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm breaks down the high school baseball postseason with Ankeny Centennial second baseman Damin Churchman, Des Moines Roosevelt head coach Randy Wee and Ankeny Christian Academy pitcher/catcher Malachi Johnson. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 190
WALK-OFF MAGIC!: Churchman’s 2-run single advances Jaguars to substate final
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team finally solved Mason City pitcher Carter Thomas. Damin Churchman hit a two-run single with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the fifth-ranked Jaguars a thrilling 2-1 victory over visiting Mason City in a Class 4A substate semifinal on Monday. "My approach was just to shorten up my swing and just try … [Read more...] about WALK-OFF MAGIC!: Churchman’s 2-run single advances Jaguars to substate final
OAKKKKKKKKKKKKKKIE!: Sophomore tosses 1-hitter, fans 14 in Jaguars’ win
Ankeny Centennial pitcher Joey Oakie put on a dazzling display Friday. The sophomore righthander tossed a one-hitter and struck out 14 of the 15 batters that he retired as the fifth-ranked Jaguars opened the baseball postseason with a 10-0 victory over visiting Fort Dodge in five innings in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal. "Props to my catcher for … [Read more...] about OAKKKKKKKKKKKKKKIE!: Sophomore tosses 1-hitter, fans 14 in Jaguars’ win
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 189
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm interviews head coach Mark Hey and junior catcher Nick Severson of the Ankeny Centennial baseball team. Coldwell Banker realtor Tom Butler also makes an appearance. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 189
IAN THROWS A McGEM: Senior’s no-no allows Jaguars to split with S.C. North
Ankeny Centennial pitcher Ian McGhiey got a lot of offensive support during the second game of Saturday's non-conference baseball doubleheader against visiting Sioux City North. He didn't really need it. McGhiey tossed a no-hitter and the Jaguars routed North, 17-0, in four innings to salvage a split of the twinbill. The Stars won the opener, … [Read more...] about IAN THROWS A McGEM: Senior’s no-no allows Jaguars to split with S.C. North
Centennial splits with Little Cyclones, but remains alive in conference race
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team nearly pulled off a miraculous sweep of Wednesday's doubleheader at Ames. After rolling to a 15-0 victory in five innings in the opener, the fifth-ranked Jaguars fell behind, 10-1, in the nightcap. "I was really proud of them," Centennial coach Mark Hey said of his team's comeback. "Ames was up 10-1 and they had a … [Read more...] about Centennial splits with Little Cyclones, but remains alive in conference race
Jaguars, Hawks earn No. 2 seeds in Class 4A substate brackets from IHSAA
Fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny have both received No. 2 seeds in the Class 4A substate baseball brackets that were unveiled Tuesday by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. The Jaguars (20-10) will host fifth-seeded Fort Dodge (12-18) in a Substate 2 quarterfinal on July 8 at 7 p.m. They've won three of the four meetings against the … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawks earn No. 2 seeds in Class 4A substate brackets from IHSAA
After winning streak ends, Jaguars rebound with 11-1 victory over rated foe
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team saw its 12-game winning streak come to an end on Saturday, but the Jaguars then bounced back with an 11-1 victory over Coon Rapids-Bayard in five innings in the Brent Prange Classic at Centennial. Centennial scored four runs in the first inning and two more in the fourth. After Coon Rapids-Bayard scored a run in the top … [Read more...] about After winning streak ends, Jaguars rebound with 11-1 victory over rated foe