Ankeny Fanatic

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Softball

STARRING ROLE: Addi’s walk-off hit in 9th inning allows Jags to sweep Waukee NW

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Centennial softball team blanks ADM, extends scoreless streak to 19 innings

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In 19 innings this season, the Ankeny Centennial softball team has yet to allow a run. After sweeping a doubleheader on Monday at Waukee, the sixth-ranked Jaguars opened their home schedule on Tuesday with a 9-0 win over ADM (Adel) in a non-conference game. The Tigers are ranked sixth in Class 4A. Eighth grader Lauren Sandholm became the third … [Read more...] about Centennial softball team blanks ADM, extends scoreless streak to 19 innings

HOP ON THE BUS, GUS: Senior tosses perfect game in Jaguars’ sweep

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The way that her teammates were hitting the ball, Ankeny Centennial pitcher Lauren Gustofson didn't have to be perfect in the Jaguars' softball season opener on Monday. But the senior was anyway. Gustofson tossed a five-inning perfect game with 11 strikeouts as Centennial rolled to a 15-0 victory at Waukee in the opener of a CIML Conference … [Read more...] about HOP ON THE BUS, GUS: Senior tosses perfect game in Jaguars’ sweep

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Payton Drefke, Centennial girls’ golf/softball

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Ankeny Centennial junior Payton Drefke qualified for the girls' Class 4A state golf meet as an individual by placing third in a regional meet on Wednesday at Veenker Golf Course in Ames. She shot an 8-over-par 81 to lead the Jaguars to a fourth-place finish in the 10-team field. The state meet will be held on Thursday and Friday at Otter Creek Golf Course … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Payton Drefke, Centennial girls’ golf/softball

Jaguars seek return to Class 5A state tournament after one-year absence

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After a one-year absence, the Ankeny Centennial softball team will be looking to return to Fort Dodge for the Class 5A state tournament this summer. The Jaguars placed third in Class 5A in 2020 and earned a runner-up finish in 2021. Last year, they advanced to a regional final before Linn-Mar (Marion) erupted for seven runs in the sixth inning to post a … [Read more...] about Jaguars seek return to Class 5A state tournament after one-year absence

Centennial pitcher Stahr commits to play softball at Iowa Central

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Ankeny Centennial pitcher Jadeyn Stahr will continue her softball career at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge. Stahr announced her verbal commitment to the Tritons via Twitter on Wednesday. "It was a tough decision, but I had to pick what was best for me and I knew it was Iowa Central!" Stahr said. "I looked at a few other schools with great … [Read more...] about Centennial pitcher Stahr commits to play softball at Iowa Central

‘I just knew this is where I wanted to go!’: Belzer to play softball at Rogers State

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Mariah Belzer of Ankeny Centennial has committed to play softball at Rogers State University, an NCAA Division II school in Claremore, Okla. Belzer, who plays for the Jaguars Elite club team, announced her decision on Twitter last week. "What I really liked about Rogers State was how nice the coaches and players were," said Belzer. "They were all very … [Read more...] about ‘I just knew this is where I wanted to go!’: Belzer to play softball at Rogers State

Linn-Mar erupts for 7 runs in 6th inning, denies Jaguars another trip to state

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One bad inning proved to be costly for the Ankeny Centennial softball team. Eighth-ranked Linn-Mar (Marion) erupted for seven runs in the sixth inning to defeat the No. 5 Jaguars, 9-4, in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday at Centennial. "We knew Linn-Mar was going to be a good team," said Centennial coach Brett Delaney. "They came out and swung the … [Read more...] about Linn-Mar erupts for 7 runs in 6th inning, denies Jaguars another trip to state

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Lauren Solis, Ankeny Centennial softball

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Senior shortstop Lauren Solis has helped the fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team to a 25-12 record. She is batting .333 with four doubles and 20 RBIs. The Jaguars posted a 4-3 victory over visiting Waterloo West in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday. Solis watched the game from the dugout due to a season-ending injury that she suffered … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Lauren Solis, Ankeny Centennial softball

Survive and advance: Jaguars hold off Waterloo West, will host Linn-Mar next

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Survive and advance. That's all that matters in postseason play. The Ankeny Centennial softball team got a tougher-than-expected battle from visiting Waterloo West in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday, but the fifth-ranked Jaguars held on for a 4-3 victory. "Postseason time brings out the best in everybody," said Centennial coach Brett … [Read more...] about Survive and advance: Jaguars hold off Waterloo West, will host Linn-Mar next

Jaguars top North Polk, then rally past Class 4A No. 1 ADM at DC-G tournament

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Riding the momentum of its doubleheader sweep over Ankeny on Thursday, the Ankeny Centennial softball team won a pair of games at the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational on Friday. The sixth-ranked Jaguars used a three-run rally in the bottom of the sixth inning to post a 4-3 victory over ADM (Adel), the No. 1 team in Class 4A. ADM lost for only the fourth … [Read more...] about Jaguars top North Polk, then rally past Class 4A No. 1 ADM at DC-G tournament

After a bad first inning, Jaguars salvage split of doubleheader at Ames

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The sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team bounced back from one bad inning to earn a split of Wednesday's doubleheader at No. 13 Ames. The Little Cyclones used a four-run first inning to post a 4-2 victory in the opener, snapping Centennial's season-high five-game winning streak. The Jaguars then rebounded with an 8-1 win in the nightcap. "We … [Read more...] about After a bad first inning, Jaguars salvage split of doubleheader at Ames