It's finally starting to feel like baseball weather. As the temperature has soared into the 90s this week, the Ankeny Centennial baseball team continues to prepare for its season opener. The Jaguars will host a non-conference game against Williamsburg on Tuesday. "So far the practices have been going well," said Centennial coach Mark Hey, whose team is … [Read more...] about ‘Pitching should be a strength’: Jaguars return several starters from 18-18 squad
Baseball
Ankeny pitcher Dunwoody commits to play for Simpson College
Ankeny pitcher Easton Dunwoody has committed to play baseball for Simpson College next year. Dunwoody said he picked the Storm over a few other schools. "I looked at Grand View, Buena Vista and Northwestern--NAIA schools mainly--but was mostly talking to Grand View and Simpson," said Dunwoody. "With Simpson, I just felt a sort of at home feeling and … [Read more...] about Ankeny pitcher Dunwoody commits to play for Simpson College
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Lincoln Lacey, Ankeny Centennial baseball
Lacey batted .425 with one home run, a triple and 10 RBIs. On the mound, he posted a 2-4 mark with a 2.03 ERA while racking up 34 strikeouts. Junior pitcher and first baseman Lincoln Lacey helped the Ankeny Centennial baseball team to an 18-18 record this season. Lacey was named to the CIML Iowa Conference second team. "Lincoln was a tremendous … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Lincoln Lacey, Ankeny Centennial baseball
‘Things just didn’t go our way’: Jaguars fall to Roosevelt in 10 innings
Ankeny Centennial outfielder Easton Miller had been chasing down fly balls all afternoon. Des Moines Roosevelt's Walker Bennett finally hit a ball that Miller couldn't catch. Bennett stroked an RBI double in the bottom of the 10th inning to tie the game, then scored the winning run on an error as the host Roughriders rallied for a 3-2 victory over … [Read more...] about ‘Things just didn’t go our way’: Jaguars fall to Roosevelt in 10 innings
Jaguars fall twice at No. 4 Dowling, will now gear up for postseason play
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team closed out the regular season on Monday with a doubleheader loss at fourth-ranked Dowling Catholic. The Maroons are the type of team that Centennial will likely have to beat in order to qualify for state. "Other than the losses, it was kind of what we wanted to see going into the postseason," said Centennial coach … [Read more...] about Jaguars fall twice at No. 4 Dowling, will now gear up for postseason play
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Gabriel Monosmith, Ankeny Centennial baseball
Senior outfielder Gabriel Monosmith has helped the Ankeny Centennial baseball team to an 18-15 record. Monosmith is batting .313 with one home run, seven doubles and 20 RBIs. He has struck out only five times in 83 at-bats. Here is some inside info on Monosmith: Have you been happy with your season thus far? That’s a tough question. Honestly, I … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Gabriel Monosmith, Ankeny Centennial baseball
Jaguars win seesaw battle at Mason City, move into 2nd-place tie with Mohawks
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team needed a sweep on Monday in order to earn a second-place finish in the CIML Iowa Conference. The Jaguars are well on their way to getting it. Centennial posted an 8-6 victory in the first game of a doubleheader at Mason City, moving into a tie for second place with the Mohawks. The Jaguars then built a 5-0 lead in … [Read more...] about Jaguars win seesaw battle at Mason City, move into 2nd-place tie with Mohawks
‘The boys just kept battling’: Jaguars score 3 runs in 7th to complete sweep
A dramatic rally kept the Ankeny Centennial baseball team alive for a second-place finish in the CIML Iowa Conference. The Jaguars scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to defeat visiting Ames, 8-7, and complete a sweep of a doubleheader on Wednesday. Nick Severson hit a sacrifice fly to center field to cap the rally. "The boys just … [Read more...] about ‘The boys just kept battling’: Jaguars score 3 runs in 7th to complete sweep
Jaguars fall to No. 1 Pleasant Valley in 9 innings at Prange Classic
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team nearly knocked off the state's No. 1 squad on Saturday. The Jaguars used a six-run first inning to build a 7-3 lead over Pleasant Valley in the Brent Prange Classic at Saydel. But the Spartans scored two runs in the fifth and two more in the seventh to force extra innings. After both teams scored twice in the eighth … [Read more...] about Jaguars fall to No. 1 Pleasant Valley in 9 innings at Prange Classic
Kyle Miller’s huge night sparks Centennial baseball team to sweep over Bobcats
Ankeny Centennial pitcher Kyle Miller didn't need a lot of run support during the first game of Wednesday's baseball doubleheader against visiting Marshalltown. The sophomore made sure that he had plenty anyway. Miller helped his own cause with a huge game at the plate, going 4-for-4 with five RBIs. All four of his hits went for extra bases--he slugged … [Read more...] about Kyle Miller’s huge night sparks Centennial baseball team to sweep over Bobcats
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 142
Coach Joe Balvanz and shortstop Jase Bauer of the Ankeny baseball team join Coldwell Banker Mid-America realtor Andy Logan and Ankeny Centennial softball coach Brett Delaney as the guests on the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 142
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Andrew Tilton, Ankeny Centennial baseball
Senior Andrew Tilton has helped the Ankeny Centennial baseball team to a 13-11 record. He is batting .200 with one RBI. Tilton has made five appearances on the mound, including one start. He has compiled a 2-0 mark with a 2.88 ERA. "Andrew has filled several key roles for us this year: relief pitcher, starting pitcher, and he has started at third … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Andrew Tilton, Ankeny Centennial baseball
Jaguars sweep Fort Dodge, move into 2nd-place tie in CIML Iowa Conference
Damin Churchman and the Ankeny Centennial baseball team are on a roll. Churchman helped the Jaguars to a sweep of a CIML Iowa Conference doubleheader on Monday at Fort Dodge. He scored three times in a 5-4 victory in eight innings in the opener, then earned the win on the mound in the nightcap as Centennial completed the sweep with a 12-6 triumph. The … [Read more...] about Jaguars sweep Fort Dodge, move into 2nd-place tie in CIML Iowa Conference
Centennial baseball team erupts for 30 runs in victory over Polar Bears
Thursday's non-conference game against visiting Des Moines North provided an opportunity for Ankeny Centennial baseball coach Mark Hey to go deep into his bench. Even if the contest lasted just four innings. The Jaguars exploded for 17 runs in the first inning and then added 13 more in the second to post a 30-0 victory. It was the most lopsided win in … [Read more...] about Centennial baseball team erupts for 30 runs in victory over Polar Bears
Jaguars hold on for 11-10 victory despite 6 errors, earn split against Mason City
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team held off a late rally by visiting Mason City to earn a split of Wednesday's doubleheader. The Jaguars scored six runs in the first inning and four more in the third to build an 11-3 lead in the nightcap after dropping an 8-4 decision in the opener. The Mohawks rallied for three runs in the fourth, one in the sixth and … [Read more...] about Jaguars hold on for 11-10 victory despite 6 errors, earn split against Mason City
Oakie, Churchman combine for 20 K’s as Jaguars roll to pair of wins at Ames
It's hard for a team to build some confidence when it's struggling to win games. That's why Monday's doubleheader at Ames may have been a turning point for the Ankeny Centennial baseball team. The Jaguars won both games of the CIML Iowa Conference twinbill for only their second sweep of the season. They posted a 5-0 victory in the opener, then followed … [Read more...] about Oakie, Churchman combine for 20 K’s as Jaguars roll to pair of wins at Ames
Jaguars top Muscatine behind Miller’s strong relief effort, 6 extra-base hits
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team picked up one win on Saturday at the Cedar Rapids Kennedy Invitational and nearly got another one. After posting a 12-5 victory over Muscatine at Mount Mercy University, the Jaguars built a 4-0 lead against Kennedy before the host Cougars rallied for three runs in the fourth inning and three more in the fifth to defeat … [Read more...] about Jaguars top Muscatine behind Miller’s strong relief effort, 6 extra-base hits
Churchman, Oakie blast homers in Jaguars’ 11-3 victory at Knoxville
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team bounced back from a doubleheader loss to Ankeny with an 11-3 victory at Knoxville in a non-conference game on Thursday. Damin Churchman and Joey Oakie each hit a home run in the win. Those were the Jaguars' first two homers of the season. Oakie went 2-for-4 and drove in two runs, while Gabe Murphy went 2-for-4 and … [Read more...] about Churchman, Oakie blast homers in Jaguars’ 11-3 victory at Knoxville
Jaguars split twinbill at Marshalltown, will host Ankeny on Wednesday
Two baseball teams trying to find some consistency split a CIML Iowa Conference doubleheader on Monday at Marshalltown. Ankeny Centennial posted a 12-8 victory in the opener. The host Bobcats then answered with a 10-8 win in the nightcap. "It was very sloppy," said Centennial coach Mark Hey. "There were a lot of walks and a lot of errors on both … [Read more...] about Jaguars split twinbill at Marshalltown, will host Ankeny on Wednesday
Centennial hits 5 doubles in 12-2 victory over North Polk at Heggen Invitational
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team has been working hard on taking an extra base when the opportunity presents itself. On Saturday, the Jaguars did just that during a 12-2 victory over North Polk in five innings at the Tim Heggen Invitational. They had 12 hits in the game, including five doubles. "Most of them weren't doubles off the wall," said … [Read more...] about Centennial hits 5 doubles in 12-2 victory over North Polk at Heggen Invitational