Ankeny Fanatic

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Softball

Jaguars return 7 starters from last year’s Class 5A state runner-up squad

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In the last two seasons, the Ankeny Centennial softball team has gotten progressively closer to a Class 5A state championship. Maybe this will be the year that the Jaguars reach their ultimate goal. "The goal every season is to get to Fort Dodge in July, and this season is no different," said Centennial coach Brett Delaney. "Our goal right now is to … [Read more...] about Jaguars return 7 starters from last year’s Class 5A state runner-up squad

Centennial’s James verbally commits to play softball at Simpson College

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Ankeny Centennial softball player Mackenzie James didn't have to wait any longer to make her college plans. The junior outfielder verbally committed on Friday to play for Simpson College, beginning in the fall of 2023. "The decision was pretty easy for me," said James. "Simpson was the first school I visited and instantly I felt at home. The softball … [Read more...] about Centennial’s James verbally commits to play softball at Simpson College

Ankeny’s Carter, Centennial’s Schulz named to Class 5A all-state first team

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Softball standouts Marina Carter of Ankeny and Ella Schulz of Ankeny Centennial have earned all-state honors for the second straight year from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Both Carter and Schulz, who will be teammates next year at Minnesota State, were selected to the Class 5A first team. They were second-team picks a year ago. Schulz, a senior … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Carter, Centennial’s Schulz named to Class 5A all-state first team

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Jenna Wendt, Ankeny Centennial softball

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Senior pitcher Jenna Wendt helped the Ankeny Centennial softball team to a 33-10 record and a second-place finish in Class 5A this season. Wendt posted a 6-2 mark with a 4.24 ERA. She also batted .302 with one home run, three doubles and 18 RBIs. Wendt, who will play for Northwestern College next year, played a key role in the Jaguars' 8-1 victory … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Jenna Wendt, Ankeny Centennial softball

‘We still got second, and that’s good’: Jaguars settle for runner-up trophy

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Anna Christiansen vowed that the Ankeny Centennial softball team would be back to Harlan Rogers Park. "I'm extremely proud of this team, and these underclassmen are going to take this program places," Christiansen said after Friday night's Class 5A championship game at Fort Dodge. "This program is unlike any other in the state, and I'm extremely confident … [Read more...] about ‘We still got second, and that’s good’: Jaguars settle for runner-up trophy

‘Tonight just wasn’t our night’: Jaguars fall to Fort Dodge, Adams in 5A title game

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The clock struck midnight on Ankeny Centennial's Cinderella run through the state softball tournament. After knocking off two higher-ranked opponents earlier in the week, the 10th-ranked Jaguars dropped a 2-0 decision to No. 2 Fort Dodge in the Class 5A championship game on Friday night at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. Jalen Adams tossed a … [Read more...] about ‘Tonight just wasn’t our night’: Jaguars fall to Fort Dodge, Adams in 5A title game

‘We want that championship’: Jaguars advance to Class 5A final for first time

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The Ankeny Centennial softball players got the rematch they wanted. The 10th-ranked Jaguars advanced to the Class 5A championship game with an 8-1 victory over No. 5 Pleasant Valley in the semifinals on Wednesday at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. Centennial (33-9) will play No. 2 Fort Dodge (37-4) for the title on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Jaguars … [Read more...] about ‘We want that championship’: Jaguars advance to Class 5A final for first time

Jaguars rally past Pleasant Valley, will play Fort Dodge for Class 5A crown

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Ankeny Centennial first baseman Lizzy Klunder was in the right spot at the right time to get a souvenir from the state softball tournament on Wednesday. Klunder caught a pop fly for the final out of the game as the 10th-ranked Jaguars defeated No. 5 Pleasant Valley, 8-1, in the Class 5A semifinals at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. "I was running … [Read more...] about Jaguars rally past Pleasant Valley, will play Fort Dodge for Class 5A crown

‘We love being here’: Jaguars top City High, earn return trip to 5A semifinals

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A victory on Tuesday guaranteed that the seniors on the Ankeny Centennial softball team would get to play two more games together. The 10th-ranked Jaguars avoided playing in a meaningless consolation game on Wednesday by posting a 2-0 win over No. 6 Iowa City High in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state tournament at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort … [Read more...] about ‘We love being here’: Jaguars top City High, earn return trip to 5A semifinals

‘Special KKKKKKKKK’ delivers again: Klug pitches Jaguars past Iowa City High

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Sam Klug tossed a three-hitter and had nine strikeouts to lead the 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team to a 2-0 victory over No. 6 Iowa City High in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state tournament on Tuesday at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. Klug (11-5) retired the last 11 batters that she faced as Centennial (32-9) advanced to the … [Read more...] about ‘Special KKKKKKKKK’ delivers again: Klug pitches Jaguars past Iowa City High

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Sydney Morris, Ankeny Centennial softball

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Sophomore outfielder Sydney Morris has helped the 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team to a 31-9 record. She hit her first varsity home run in the Jaguars' 3-2 victory at No. 4 Indianola in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday, providing what proved to be the winning run as her squad advanced to the state tournament for the second straight … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Sydney Morris, Ankeny Centennial softball

Jaguars oust No. 4 Indianola, will play Iowa City High in Class 5A quarterfinals

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Sam Klug played a supporting role on last year's Ankeny Centennial softball team that earned a third-place finish in the Class 5A state tournament. Now, she'll get a chance to play a starring role at Harlan Rogers Park. Klug tossed a six-hitter and had six strikeouts to help the 10th-ranked Jaguars to a 3-2 victory at No. 4 Indianola in a regional … [Read more...] about Jaguars oust No. 4 Indianola, will play Iowa City High in Class 5A quarterfinals

SWEET REVENGE: Jaguars knock off Indianola, earn 2nd straight trip to state

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Ankeny Centennial softball players Ella Schulz and Anna Christiansen waited three years to get their revenge. When they finally got it on Tuesday night, it was pretty sweet. The duo helped the 10th-ranked Jaguars to a 3-2 victory at No. 4 Indianola in a Class 5A regional final. The win allowed Centennial to earn its second straight trip to the state … [Read more...] about SWEET REVENGE: Jaguars knock off Indianola, earn 2nd straight trip to state

Addi becomes a Starr: Freshman leads Jaguars past Ankeny in regional battle

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Addi Starr never lost faith in her Ankeny Centennial softball teammates. The other Jaguars never lost faith in Starr, either. The freshman third baseman hit a tying two-run double in the fifth inning and later added an RBI single to lead 10th-ranked Centennial to a 4-2 victory over visiting Ankeny in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Monday. It was the … [Read more...] about Addi becomes a Starr: Freshman leads Jaguars past Ankeny in regional battle

‘Taking care of business’: Jaguars sweep Mason City to close out regular season

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The Ankeny Centennial softball team is heading into postseason play with a full head of steam. The 10th-ranked Jaguars closed out the regular season on Tuesday by sweeping a doubleheader at Mason City. They rolled to a 15-0 victory in four innings, then completed the sweep with a 13-3 win in six innings. Centennial won all four games this season … [Read more...] about ‘Taking care of business’: Jaguars sweep Mason City to close out regular season

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Alee Edwards, Ankeny Centennial softball

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Junior Alee Edwards has helped the 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team to a 29-9 record. The Jaguars closed out the regular season on Tuesday by sweeping a doubleheader at Mason City. Edwards has played in 14 games, starting five times. She is batting .300 with four RBIs and six runs scored. Edwards had a two-run single in Centennial's 13-3 … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Alee Edwards, Ankeny Centennial softball

Jaguars fall to Earlham, then top DC-G for their school-record 27th victory

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The third time proved to be a charm for the Ankeny Centennial softball team. After dropping their previous two games, the 10th-ranked Jaguars finally broke the school record for most wins in a season with a 7-4 victory over Dallas Center-Grimes at the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational on Friday. They raised their record to 27-9, surpassing the previous … [Read more...] about Jaguars fall to Earlham, then top DC-G for their school-record 27th victory

SEP’s Snetselaar tosses 7-hitter, blasts pair of homers in win over Jaguars

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The Ankeny Centennial softball team will have to wait at least another day to set a new school record for most victories in a season. The 10th-ranked Jaguars had a chance to break the mark on Thursday, but they saw their nine-game winning streak come to an end with a 6-5 loss at Southeast Polk in a non-conference contest. Ellie Snetselaar tossed a … [Read more...] about SEP’s Snetselaar tosses 7-hitter, blasts pair of homers in win over Jaguars

Jaguars sweep past Ames, tie school record for most wins in a season

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It was a good night for both Laurens on the Ankeny Centennial softball team. Lauren Solis homered in the first game, Lauren Gustofson tossed a four-hit shutout in the nightcap, and the 10th-ranked Jaguars tied the school record for most victories in a season by sweeping a doubleheader against visiting Ames on Wednesday. "I'm really proud of our whole … [Read more...] about Jaguars sweep past Ames, tie school record for most wins in a season