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
Softball
‘This was good redemption’: Starr’s first career homer punctuates Jaguars’ win
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
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 226
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm discusses the Ankeny Centennial softball team's quest for the Class 5A state title with head coach Brett Delaney and senior catcher Sydney Morris. Ankeny swimmer Owen Schwebach, who has verbally committed to Xavier University, and Coldwell … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 226
Jaguars beat another ranked foe, close out regular season with 31-5 record
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
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
The trend continues: After suffering loss, Jaguars bounce back with run-rule win
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
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