Ankeny Fanatic

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Softball

DOUBLE TROUBLE: Kennedy, Lincicum hit 2 HRs in Jaguars’ sweep over Creston

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Jordyn Kennedy and Kori Lincicum each homered twice as the Ankeny Centennial softball team swept a non-conference doubleheader against visiting Creston on Friday. Lincicum went 2-for-4 with a pair of home runs and four RBIs as the sixth-ranked Jaguars won the opener, 11-1, in six innings. She now leads the team with three homers in seven games. Kennedy … [Read more...] about DOUBLE TROUBLE: Kennedy, Lincicum hit 2 HRs in Jaguars’ sweep over Creston

Jaguars open CIML Conference play by sweeping doubleheader at No. 2 Valley

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After dropping five spots to No. 6 in the latest Class 5A rankings, the Ankeny Centennial softball team showed on Wednesday that the defending state champion Jaguars don't plan to fall any further. Centennial opened CIML Conference play with an impressive sweep at No. 2 Valley. The Jaguars posted a 4-0 win in the opener, then completed the sweep with an … [Read more...] about Jaguars open CIML Conference play by sweeping doubleheader at No. 2 Valley

‘You just have to tip your cap’: Brewer hurls 2-hitter, hits HR in win over Jaguars

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Ankeny Centennial freshman Lauren Sandholm showed on Thursday why she is one of the state's top softball pitchers. Unfortunately, Norwalk's Carly Brewer was just a little bit better. Brewer tossed a two-hitter with 11 strikeouts and also homered for the game's only run as Norwalk, the No. 2 team in Class 4A, posted a 1-0 victory at No. 1 Ankeny … [Read more...] about ‘You just have to tip your cap’: Brewer hurls 2-hitter, hits HR in win over Jaguars

Jaguars boast 6 returning starters from last year’s Class 5A championship team

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There's going to be a big target this season on the Ankeny Centennial softball team. After cruising to their first state championship in dominating fashion a year ago, the Jaguars will undoubtedly be getting the best shot from their opponents in 2024. It's a challenge that coach Brett Delaney and his players wholeheartedly welcome. "Last year was a … [Read more...] about Jaguars boast 6 returning starters from last year’s Class 5A championship team

‘I know what I’m getting’: Starr to follow in mother’s footsteps, will play for Central

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Ankeny Centennial third baseman Addi Starr is already pretty familiar with the Central College softball program. Her mother, Missy, was one of the captains for the 2002 Central squad. "I grew up hearing stories about and following the team," said Starr, who has committed to playing for the Dutch and legendary coach George Wares. "I know what I'm … [Read more...] about ‘I know what I’m getting’: Starr to follow in mother’s footsteps, will play for Central

‘I can’t wait to be a Saint!’: Centennial’s Boyle to play softball at Maryville

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Ankeny Centennial senior Cora Boyle has signed a letter of intent to play softball at Maryville University (Mo.), an NCAA Division II school that competes in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. "I looked at a couple schools before I went on my visit to Maryville," said Boyle. "All those coaches and universities were very nice, but as cliché as it may sound … [Read more...] about ‘I can’t wait to be a Saint!’: Centennial’s Boyle to play softball at Maryville

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Lauren Gustofson: Ankeny Centennial softball

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Senior pitcher Lauren Gustofson was named to the all-tournament team after helping the Ankeny Centennial softball team to its first state championship. She allowed just three hits over the first four innings as the Jaguars rolled to an 11-0 victory over Pleasant Valley in five innings in the Class 5A title game on Thursday at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Lauren Gustofson: Ankeny Centennial softball

‘This is so well-deserved’: Dominant Jaguars romp to Class 5A softball crown

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It was a moment that Mariah Belzer will never forget. Ankeny Centennial's senior shortstop caught a line drive off the bat of Pleasant Valley's Ashley Hansen for the final out of Thursday's Class 5A state championship softball game, securing the Jaguars' first title in school history. "She's a slapper, and she hit it that way the last time," Belzer … [Read more...] about ‘This is so well-deserved’: Dominant Jaguars romp to Class 5A softball crown

ROARING GOOD TIME: Jaguars capture first state title in dominating fashion

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The Ankeny Centennial softball team didn't just capture its first state title. The top-ranked Jaguars dominated the Class 5A tournament. Centennial erupted for six runs in the first inning and went on to beat No. 6 Pleasant Valley, 11-0, in five innings in the championship game on Thursday at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. The Jaguars (36-5) … [Read more...] about ROARING GOOD TIME: Jaguars capture first state title in dominating fashion

No. 1 for a reason: Ankeny Fanatic’s prediction for the Class 5A title game

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While the top half of the bracket in the Class 5A state softball tournament has gone according to form this week, the bottom half has produced some unexpected results. Sixth-ranked Pleasant Valley and No. 7 Muscatine both pulled off upsets in the quarterfinals on Monday, then the Spartans avenged last year's quarterfinal loss to Muscatine in the semifinals … [Read more...] about No. 1 for a reason: Ankeny Fanatic’s prediction for the Class 5A title game

JAGUAR UPRISING: 8-run outburst in 5th inning sends Centennial to 5A title game

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When Ankeny Centennial's Sydney Morris made the second out with no runners on during the fifth inning of Wednesday's game against CIML Conference rival Southeast Polk, the senior catcher didn't expect to bat again just a few minutes later. But that's exactly what happened. Nine batters and seven hits later, Morris stepped to the plate and delivered a … [Read more...] about JAGUAR UPRISING: 8-run outburst in 5th inning sends Centennial to 5A title game

Rematch Wednesday: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals

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The Class 5A semifinals at the state softball tournament on Wednesday will feature a pair of rematches between conference rivals. Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm and photographer Drue Wolfe will be making an aerial trip to Fort Dodge with local pilot Chris Janssen, and luckily we'll be able to walk across the street to Harlan Rogers Park from the Fort … [Read more...] about Rematch Wednesday: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals

PRETTY IN PINK: Jaguars dye their hair, then roll to 7-1 victory over Bettendorf

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The nerves eventually went away for Lauren Gustofson and the Ankeny Centennial softball team. Perhaps the pink hair might have helped. Gustofson, a senior pitcher, got out of some early jams and the top-ranked Jaguars went on to beat No. 8 Bettendorf, 7-1, in the Class 5A quarterfinals on Monday at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. "I was pretty … [Read more...] about PRETTY IN PINK: Jaguars dye their hair, then roll to 7-1 victory over Bettendorf

Jaguars tie school record for victories, head to 5A state tourney as No. 1 seed

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The Ankeny Centennial softball team is headed back to Fort Dodge for the third time in four years. The top-ranked Jaguars advanced to the Class 5A state tournament with a 10-1 victory over visiting Ames in a regional final on Tuesday. The win allowed Centennial (33-5) to tie the school record for most victories in a season. "I'm very excited for this … [Read more...] about Jaguars tie school record for victories, head to 5A state tourney as No. 1 seed

‘This was good redemption’: Starr’s first career homer punctuates Jaguars’ win

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Ankeny Centennial's Addi Starr didn't see the ball go over the fence. But she heard the reaction from her teammates. Starr hit the first home run of her high school softball career to punctuate the top-ranked Jaguars' 7-2 victory over visiting Des Moines East in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday. "I was just running hard up until second … [Read more...] about ‘This was good redemption’: Starr’s first career homer punctuates Jaguars’ win

Jaguars beat another ranked foe, close out regular season with 31-5 record

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There has been no letdown for the Ankeny Centennial softball team after clinching the CIML Conference title. The top-ranked Jaguars closed out the regular season on Monday with a 5-1 victory at Norwalk in a non-conference game. The Warriors are ranked fifth in Class 4A. "We had eight games in the last week--all of them against rated opponents--and we … [Read more...] about Jaguars beat another ranked foe, close out regular season with 31-5 record

Jaguars win twice at DC-G Invitational, close in on school record for victories

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With a pair of wins on Friday at the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational, the Ankeny Centennial softball team moved closer to the school record for most victories in a season. The top-ranked Jaguars posted a 2-1 triumph over ADM (Adel), then followed with a 6-1 victory over Dallas Center-Grimes. Those teams are ranked 11th and fourth, respectively, in Class … [Read more...] about Jaguars win twice at DC-G Invitational, close in on school record for victories