Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Summer

Jaguars return 7 starters from last year’s Class 5A state runner-up squad

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In the last two seasons, the Ankeny Centennial softball team has gotten progressively closer to a Class 5A state championship. Maybe this will be the year that the Jaguars reach their ultimate goal. "The goal every season is to get to Fort Dodge in July, and this season is no different," said Centennial coach Brett Delaney. "Our goal right now is to … [Read more...] about Jaguars return 7 starters from last year’s Class 5A state runner-up squad

Jaguars struggle at plate while being swept at Waukee, fall to 0-3 on season

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The bats were silent on Thursday for the Ankeny Centennial baseball team. The fourth-ranked Jaguars were held to just six hits in a non-conference doubleheader at Waukee and were swept by the Warriors, 4-0 and 3-2. "Waukee's a pretty good team," said Centennial coach Mark Hey. "We saw three really outstanding pitchers for them." Waukee's Camden … [Read more...] about Jaguars struggle at plate while being swept at Waukee, fall to 0-3 on season

‘Hopefully we will learn from this loss’: Jaguars drop opener to Williamsburg

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The Ankeny Centennial baseball team rallied from a 6-1 deficit to tie it up before falling to visiting Williamsburg, 7-6, in its season opener on Tuesday. Sean Stewart homered and had two RBIs for the fourth-ranked Jaguars. Kyle Miller went 2-for-3 with an RBI and had two stolen bases. "There were some positives," said Centennial coach Mark Hey. "Ian … [Read more...] about ‘Hopefully we will learn from this loss’: Jaguars drop opener to Williamsburg

‘Pitching should be a strength’: Jaguars return several starters from 18-18 squad

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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

Centennial’s James verbally commits to play softball at Simpson College

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Ankeny Centennial softball player Mackenzie James didn't have to wait any longer to make her college plans. The junior outfielder verbally committed on Friday to play for Simpson College, beginning in the fall of 2023. "The decision was pretty easy for me," said James. "Simpson was the first school I visited and instantly I felt at home. The softball … [Read more...] about Centennial’s James verbally commits to play softball at Simpson College

Ankeny pitcher Dunwoody commits to play for Simpson College

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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

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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

Ankeny’s Carter, Centennial’s Schulz named to Class 5A all-state first team

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Softball standouts Marina Carter of Ankeny and Ella Schulz of Ankeny Centennial have earned all-state honors for the second straight year from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Both Carter and Schulz, who will be teammates next year at Minnesota State, were selected to the Class 5A first team. They were second-team picks a year ago. Schulz, a senior … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Carter, Centennial’s Schulz named to Class 5A all-state first team

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Jenna Wendt, Ankeny Centennial softball

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Senior pitcher Jenna Wendt helped the Ankeny Centennial softball team to a 33-10 record and a second-place finish in Class 5A this season. Wendt posted a 6-2 mark with a 4.24 ERA. She also batted .302 with one home run, three doubles and 18 RBIs. Wendt, who will play for Northwestern College next year, played a key role in the Jaguars' 8-1 victory … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Jenna Wendt, Ankeny Centennial softball

‘We still got second, and that’s good’: Jaguars settle for runner-up trophy

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Anna Christiansen vowed that the Ankeny Centennial softball team would be back to Harlan Rogers Park. "I'm extremely proud of this team, and these underclassmen are going to take this program places," Christiansen said after Friday night's Class 5A championship game at Fort Dodge. "This program is unlike any other in the state, and I'm extremely confident … [Read more...] about ‘We still got second, and that’s good’: Jaguars settle for runner-up trophy

‘Tonight just wasn’t our night’: Jaguars fall to Fort Dodge, Adams in 5A title game

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The clock struck midnight on Ankeny Centennial's Cinderella run through the state softball tournament. After knocking off two higher-ranked opponents earlier in the week, the 10th-ranked Jaguars dropped a 2-0 decision to No. 2 Fort Dodge in the Class 5A championship game on Friday night at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. Jalen Adams tossed a … [Read more...] about ‘Tonight just wasn’t our night’: Jaguars fall to Fort Dodge, Adams in 5A title game

‘We want that championship’: Jaguars advance to Class 5A final for first time

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The Ankeny Centennial softball players got the rematch they wanted. The 10th-ranked Jaguars advanced to the Class 5A championship game with an 8-1 victory over No. 5 Pleasant Valley in the semifinals on Wednesday at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. Centennial (33-9) will play No. 2 Fort Dodge (37-4) for the title on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Jaguars … [Read more...] about ‘We want that championship’: Jaguars advance to Class 5A final for first time

Jaguars rally past Pleasant Valley, will play Fort Dodge for Class 5A crown

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Ankeny Centennial first baseman Lizzy Klunder was in the right spot at the right time to get a souvenir from the state softball tournament on Wednesday. Klunder caught a pop fly for the final out of the game as the 10th-ranked Jaguars defeated No. 5 Pleasant Valley, 8-1, in the Class 5A semifinals at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. "I was running … [Read more...] about Jaguars rally past Pleasant Valley, will play Fort Dodge for Class 5A crown

‘We love being here’: Jaguars top City High, earn return trip to 5A semifinals

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A victory on Tuesday guaranteed that the seniors on the Ankeny Centennial softball team would get to play two more games together. The 10th-ranked Jaguars avoided playing in a meaningless consolation game on Wednesday by posting a 2-0 win over No. 6 Iowa City High in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state tournament at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort … [Read more...] about ‘We love being here’: Jaguars top City High, earn return trip to 5A semifinals

‘Special KKKKKKKKK’ delivers again: Klug pitches Jaguars past Iowa City High

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Sam Klug tossed a three-hitter and had nine strikeouts to lead the 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team to a 2-0 victory over No. 6 Iowa City High in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state tournament on Tuesday at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. Klug (11-5) retired the last 11 batters that she faced as Centennial (32-9) advanced to the … [Read more...] about ‘Special KKKKKKKKK’ delivers again: Klug pitches Jaguars past Iowa City High

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Sydney Morris, Ankeny Centennial softball

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Sophomore outfielder Sydney Morris has helped the 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team to a 31-9 record. She hit her first varsity home run in the Jaguars' 3-2 victory at No. 4 Indianola in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday, providing what proved to be the winning run as her squad advanced to the state tournament for the second straight … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Sydney Morris, Ankeny Centennial softball

‘Things just didn’t go our way’: Jaguars fall to Roosevelt in 10 innings

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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 oust No. 4 Indianola, will play Iowa City High in Class 5A quarterfinals

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Sam Klug played a supporting role on last year's Ankeny Centennial softball team that earned a third-place finish in the Class 5A state tournament. Now, she'll get a chance to play a starring role at Harlan Rogers Park. Klug tossed a six-hitter and had six strikeouts to help the 10th-ranked Jaguars to a 3-2 victory at No. 4 Indianola in a regional … [Read more...] about Jaguars oust No. 4 Indianola, will play Iowa City High in Class 5A quarterfinals

SWEET REVENGE: Jaguars knock off Indianola, earn 2nd straight trip to state

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Ankeny Centennial softball players Ella Schulz and Anna Christiansen waited three years to get their revenge. When they finally got it on Tuesday night, it was pretty sweet. The duo helped the 10th-ranked Jaguars to a 3-2 victory at No. 4 Indianola in a Class 5A regional final. The win allowed Centennial to earn its second straight trip to the state … [Read more...] about SWEET REVENGE: Jaguars knock off Indianola, earn 2nd straight trip to state