Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Summer

‘Upper Iowa really stood out to me’: Churchman to play for Peacocks

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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

Centennial pitcher Stahr commits to play softball at Iowa Central

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Ankeny Centennial pitcher Jadeyn Stahr will continue her softball career at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge. Stahr announced her verbal commitment to the Tritons via Twitter on Wednesday. "It was a tough decision, but I had to pick what was best for me and I knew it was Iowa Central!" Stahr said. "I looked at a few other schools with great … [Read more...] about Centennial pitcher Stahr commits to play softball at Iowa Central

‘Wartburg just felt like home to me’: Grider to play baseball for Knights

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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

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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

‘I just knew this is where I wanted to go!’: Belzer to play softball at Rogers State

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Mariah Belzer of Ankeny Centennial has committed to play softball at Rogers State University, an NCAA Division II school in Claremore, Okla. Belzer, who plays for the Jaguars Elite club team, announced her decision on Twitter last week. "What I really liked about Rogers State was how nice the coaches and players were," said Belzer. "They were all very … [Read more...] about ‘I just knew this is where I wanted to go!’: Belzer to play softball at Rogers State

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Lincoln Lacey, Ankeny Centennial baseball

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Linn-Mar erupts for 7 runs in 6th inning, denies Jaguars another trip to state

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One bad inning proved to be costly for the Ankeny Centennial softball team. Eighth-ranked Linn-Mar (Marion) erupted for seven runs in the sixth inning to defeat the No. 5 Jaguars, 9-4, in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday at Centennial. "We knew Linn-Mar was going to be a good team," said Centennial coach Brett Delaney. "They came out and swung the … [Read more...] about Linn-Mar erupts for 7 runs in 6th inning, denies Jaguars another trip to state

WALK-OFF MAGIC!: Churchman’s 2-run single advances Jaguars to substate final

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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

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Lauren Solis, Ankeny Centennial softball

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Senior shortstop Lauren Solis has helped the fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team to a 25-12 record. She is batting .333 with four doubles and 20 RBIs. The Jaguars posted a 4-3 victory over visiting Waterloo West in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday. Solis watched the game from the dugout due to a season-ending injury that she suffered … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Lauren Solis, Ankeny Centennial softball

Survive and advance: Jaguars hold off Waterloo West, will host Linn-Mar next

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Survive and advance. That's all that matters in postseason play. The Ankeny Centennial softball team got a tougher-than-expected battle from visiting Waterloo West in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday, but the fifth-ranked Jaguars held on for a 4-3 victory. "Postseason time brings out the best in everybody," said Centennial coach Brett … [Read more...] about Survive and advance: Jaguars hold off Waterloo West, will host Linn-Mar next

OAKKKKKKKKKKKKKKIE!: Sophomore tosses 1-hitter, fans 14 in Jaguars’ win

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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

IAN THROWS A McGEM: Senior’s no-no allows Jaguars to split with S.C. North

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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