Each time the Ankeny Centennial softball team has lost a game this season, the top-ranked Jaguars have rebounded with a resounding victory in their next contest. That trend continued on Thursday as Centennial rolled to a 20-4 victory in four innings in the second game of a doubleheader at No. 5 Southeast Polk. The Jaguars salvaged a split of the twinbill … [Read more...] about The trend continues: After suffering loss, Jaguars bounce back with run-rule win
Softball
Centennial girls rally past Interstate 35 for 6-5 victory on their Senior Night
A four-run rally in the fifth inning allowed the Ankeny Centennial softball team to defeat visiting Interstate 35 (Truro), 6-5, in a non-conference game on Wednesday. It was Senior Night for the top-ranked Jaguars, who improved to 27-4 on the season. Interstate 35, the No. 5 team in Class 2A, dropped to 19-12. "It would have been disappointing (to … [Read more...] about Centennial girls rally past Interstate 35 for 6-5 victory on their Senior Night
No. 1 Centennial girls sweep Dragons, clinch outright CIML Conference crown
Clinching a share of the CIML Conference title wasn't enough for the Ankeny Centennial softball team. After winning the first game of a doubleheader on Monday at 10th-ranked Johnston, the No. 1 Jaguars completed a sweep with a 5-2 victory that also secured the outright league crown. "We're planning on clinching that title," eighth grade pitcher Lauren … [Read more...] about No. 1 Centennial girls sweep Dragons, clinch outright CIML Conference crown
James blasts two homers as Jaguars rebound from loss with pair of victories
The Ankeny Centennial softball players were unhappy with the way Wednesday's doubleheader against visiting Valley ended. After committing five errors and dropping a 9-3 decision in the second game for their first loss in CIML Conference play, the top-ranked Jaguars rebounded on Friday with a pair of victories over Class 3A ranked opponents at the Brent … [Read more...] about James blasts two homers as Jaguars rebound from loss with pair of victories
Jaguars move closer to CIML Conference crown after splitting twinbill with Valley
Despite suffering its first loss in CIML Conference play, the Ankeny Centennial softball team moved closer to the league crown on Wednesday. The top-ranked Jaguars rolled to a 13-3 victory over No. 7 Valley in six innings before the visiting Tigers salvaged a split of the doubleheader with a 9-3 triumph in the nightcap. "We've been working really hard … [Read more...] about Jaguars move closer to CIML Conference crown after splitting twinbill with Valley
Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Mackenzie James, Centennial senior
The centerfielder helps the top-ranked Jaguars move closer to the CIML Conference softball title with a 13-3 win over Valley in 6 innings in the first game of a doubleheader. … [Read more...] about Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Mackenzie James, Centennial senior
‘We just didn’t make enough plays’: Ankeny lets lead slip away at Fort Dodge
One bad inning proved to be costly for the Ankeny softball team. The second-ranked Hawkettes dropped a 7-3 decision in a non-conference game on Wednesday at Fort Dodge, the No. 3 team in Class 4A. The Dodgers scored all seven of their runs in the sixth inning to erase a 2-0 deficit. Ankeny committed five errors in the loss, leading to four unearned … [Read more...] about ‘We just didn’t make enough plays’: Ankeny lets lead slip away at Fort Dodge
Kennedy hits her 9th home run, but Jaguars fall to Waukee NW in 9 innings
The Ankeny Centennial softball team remains unbeaten in the CIML Conference, despite Monday's loss at Waukee Northwest. Ava Smith hit a walk-off home run with two outs in the ninth inning to give third-ranked Northwest a 2-1 victory over the No. 1 Jaguars. The contest was a non-conference game because the two teams had already played a conference … [Read more...] about Kennedy hits her 9th home run, but Jaguars fall to Waukee NW in 9 innings
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Mariah Belzer, Ankeny Centennial softball
Senior shortstop Mariah Belzer has helped the Ankeny Centennial softball team to a 21-2 record and a No. 1 ranking in Class 5A. Belzer is batting .380 with two home runs, five doubles and 16 RBIs. She has also stolen seven bases in seven attempts. Here is some inside info on Belzer: Congratulations on an outstanding season thus far. What has been … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Mariah Belzer, Ankeny Centennial softball
Jaguars celebrate Delaney’s birthday by sweeping doubleheader at Cedar Falls
The players on the Ankeny Centennial softball team wanted to make sure that coach Brett Delaney enjoyed his birthday on Friday. The top-ranked Jaguars did their part by sweeping a non-conference doubleheader at Cedar Falls. They rallied for a 4-3 win in the opener before completing the sweep with a 14-5 triumph. "We’re always motivated to take the win, … [Read more...] about Jaguars celebrate Delaney’s birthday by sweeping doubleheader at Cedar Falls
No. 1 Jaguars blank Urbandale twice, move closer to CIML Conference crown
The Ankeny Centennial softball team moved closer to the CIML Conference title by sweeping a doubleheader on Thursday at Urbandale. The top-ranked Jaguars rolled to a 15-0 victory in three innings in the first game, then completed the sweep with a 3-0 win. They improved to 10-0 in the conference and 19-2 overall, while the J-Hawks' records dropped to 1-9 … [Read more...] about No. 1 Jaguars blank Urbandale twice, move closer to CIML Conference crown
Carlisle holds on for 3-1 victory, snaps Jaguars’ 13-game winning streak
The visiting Carlisle softball team snapped top-ranked Ankeny Centennial's 13-game winning streak with a 3-1 victory in a non-conference game on Tuesday. The Wildcats, who are ranked fifth in Class 4A, improved to 15-2 with their fifth straight win. Centennial's record dropped to 17-2. The Jaguars were held to seven hits by Addesyn Abel. Cora Boyle … [Read more...] about Carlisle holds on for 3-1 victory, snaps Jaguars’ 13-game winning streak
STARRING ROLE: Addi’s walk-off hit in 9th inning allows Jags to sweep Waukee NW
It had been a rough night at the plate for Addi Starr. But when the Ankeny Centennial softball team needed her to come through, the junior third baseman delivered. Starr hit a walk-off single in the ninth inning to give the top-ranked Jaguars a 3-2 victory over No. 3 Waukee Northwest and complete a sweep of Monday's doubleheader against the visiting … [Read more...] about STARRING ROLE: Addi’s walk-off hit in 9th inning allows Jags to sweep Waukee NW
‘We treated it as any other game day’: Jaguars sweep Linn-Mar, avenge ’22 loss
In a rematch of last year's Class 5A regional final, the top-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team rolled to a sweep at No. 5 Linn-Mar (Marion) in a non-conference doubleheader on Saturday. The Jaguars posted a 7-0 victory in the opener, then completed the sweep with a 10-0 win in six innings. They avenged last year's 9-4 loss to the Lions. "Going to … [Read more...] about ‘We treated it as any other game day’: Jaguars sweep Linn-Mar, avenge ’22 loss
No. 1 Jaguars sweep Waterloo West, will visit No. 5 Linn-Mar on Saturday
The Ankeny Centennial softball team blasted three more home runs in the first game of a non-conference doubleheader sweep on Friday at Waterloo West. The top-ranked Jaguars rallied from an early 2-0 deficit to post a 9-4 win in the opener, then completed the sweep with a 10-0 victory. They extended their winning streak to nine games and improved to 13-1 … [Read more...] about No. 1 Jaguars sweep Waterloo West, will visit No. 5 Linn-Mar on Saturday
Jaguars take over No. 1 spot in rankings, then top Dowling in make-up game
After taking over the No. 1 spot in the latest Class 5A rankings, the Ankeny Centennial softball team extended its winning streak to seven games with a 6-2 victory at Dowling Catholic on Thursday. The contest was a make-up game that was previously postponed due to rain on May 30. The Jaguars improved to 6-0 in the CIML Conference and 11-1 overall. … [Read more...] about Jaguars take over No. 1 spot in rankings, then top Dowling in make-up game
THE BOMB SQUAD?: Jaguars hit 3 more homers, roll past No. 1 team in Class 1A
Perhaps it is time to give the Ankeny Centennial softball team a nickname. How about "The Bomb Squad"? The seventh-ranked Jaguars hit three more home runs on Monday and rolled to an 11-1 victory over visiting Southeast Warren in six innings in a non-conference game. The Warhawks (10-3) are ranked No. 1 in Class 1A. "Southeast Warren is a really good … [Read more...] about THE BOMB SQUAD?: Jaguars hit 3 more homers, roll past No. 1 team in Class 1A
Morris slugs 3 home runs, leads Jaguars to victories over Central Springs, Creston
Sydney Morris and her Ankeny Centennial softball teammates are hitting the ball with a lot more power this season. Morris blasted three home runs, Mackenzie James had a pair, and Jordyn Kennedy added another blast as the seventh-ranked Jaguars defeated two ranked opponents at the Centennial Invitational on Friday. Coach Brett Delaney's squad has already … [Read more...] about Morris slugs 3 home runs, leads Jaguars to victories over Central Springs, Creston
‘Our bats have been good lately’: James, Jaguars romp to 10-0 win at Dowling
Senior outfielder Mackenzie James has played on some outstanding softball teams at Ankeny Centennial, including one that placed third in the Class 5A state tournament in 2020 and another that earned runner-up honors the following season. This year's team might be as talented as either of those squads. James went 2-for-3 and drove in three runs to lead … [Read more...] about ‘Our bats have been good lately’: James, Jaguars romp to 10-0 win at Dowling
‘We are having a ton of fun’: Hawkettes rebound from first loss to beat Winterset
The ninth-ranked Ankeny softball team won two of three games on Saturday against ranked opponents at the Winterset Invitational. The Hawkettes opened the tournament with an 8-1 win over Interstate 35, the No. 5 team in Class 2A. After dropping a 7-1 decision to ADM (Adel), Ankeny then rebounded with a 4-0 victory over Winterset. ADM and Winterset are … [Read more...] about ‘We are having a ton of fun’: Hawkettes rebound from first loss to beat Winterset