Ankeny Fanatic

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Softball

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

The trend continues: After suffering loss, Jaguars bounce back with run-rule win

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

‘We just didn’t make enough plays’: Ankeny lets lead slip away at Fort Dodge

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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