Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

‘We stood toe-to-toe with them’: Eagles fall in district final at No. 4 Lynnville-Sully

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For the second straight year, Ankeny Christian Academy's baseball season ended with a loss in a Class 1A district final. The Eagles dropped a 4-2 decision on Saturday at fourth-ranked Lynnville-Sully, which defeated ACA for the second time this season. The Hawks won the first matchup, 7-2, on May 27. "I was really proud of the way the boys battled," … [Read more...] about ‘We stood toe-to-toe with them’: Eagles fall in district final at No. 4 Lynnville-Sully

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Brock Adamson, Ankeny baseball

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Senior Brock Adamson tossed a four-hitter and had five strikeouts to lead the Ankeny baseball team to a 3-1 victory over visiting Norwalk in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Friday. He allowed just one unearned run, lowering his ERA to 2.37, as the Hawks improved to 20-19 on the season. Adamson, an Ellsworth Community College recruit, has compiled an … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Brock Adamson, Ankeny baseball

Johnson hits slam in 10-0 win over Cedar Falls; Hawkettes close in on state berth

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Ankeny softball coach Dave Bingham doesn't want his summer vacation to begin anytime soon. "I'm enjoying coaching these kids, and I hope I get four more (games)," Bingham said. The second-ranked Hawkettes opened postseason play on Saturday with a 10-0 victory over visiting Cedar Falls in five innings in a Class 5A regional semifinal. The Tigers … [Read more...] about Johnson hits slam in 10-0 win over Cedar Falls; Hawkettes close in on state berth

‘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 erupt for 22 runs, toss combined no-hitter in substate win over North

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The first game of the postseason can sometimes be the most stressful one. That won't be the case for the Ankeny Centennial baseball team. The top-ranked Jaguars pounded out 15 hits and rolled to a 22-0 victory over visiting Des Moines North in four innings in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Friday. "The guys are certainly very focused this time … [Read more...] about Jaguars erupt for 22 runs, toss combined no-hitter in substate win over North

Hawks oust Norwalk behind Adamson’s four-hitter, will host Ottumwa Monday

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On three occasions during the regular season, the Ankeny baseball team got a win from senior lefthander Brock Adamson to bounce back from a loss. Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz handed the ball to Adamson on Friday after the Hawks closed out the regular season with back-to-back losses earlier this week. Adamson responded with another gem, tossing a … [Read more...] about Hawks oust Norwalk behind Adamson’s four-hitter, will host Ottumwa Monday

‘I think we’ve got a shot’: Eagles move two wins away from trip to state tourney

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The Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team hasn't achieved the same kind of success that the Eagles did last season, when they finished with a 26-2 record. But that doesn't mean ACA can't qualify for the Class 1A state tournament. The Eagles moved two wins away from accomplishing that goal by defeating Grand View Christian, 5-2, in a district semifinal … [Read more...] about ‘I think we’ve got a shot’: Eagles move two wins away from trip to state tourney

Jaguars end slide with win over Riders, break school record with 29th victory

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The Ankeny Centennial baseball team needed a win on Wednesday for a couple of reasons. After losing back-to-back games for the first time this season, the top-ranked Jaguars needed to gain some momentum heading into postseason play. Coach Mark Hey's team also needed a win to set the school record for most victories in a season. The Jaguars responded … [Read more...] about Jaguars end slide with win over Riders, break school record with 29th victory

Hawks close out regular season with 6-3 loss to No. 8 Dallas Center-Grimes

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After closing out the regular season on Wednesday against the champions of the Little Hawkeye Conference, the Ankeny baseball team will now prepare for another opponent from the eight-team league. The Hawks, who dropped a 6-3 decision to eighth-ranked Dallas Center-Grimes on their home field, will host Norwalk in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Friday … [Read more...] about Hawks close out regular season with 6-3 loss to No. 8 Dallas Center-Grimes

Loss at Waukee NW forces Jaguars to share conference crown with Johnston

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With the start of postseason play later this week, the Ankeny Centennial baseball team is still trying to rediscover its mojo. The top-ranked Jaguars dropped a 6-3 decision at Waukee Northwest in their CIML Conference finale on Monday. The loss, coupled with No. 3 Johnston's 7-3 victory at No. 5 Southeast Polk, allowed the Dragons to tie Centennial for … [Read more...] about Loss at Waukee NW forces Jaguars to share conference crown with Johnston

‘We let it slip away’: Hawks fall to Valley after giving up 7 runs in 7th inning

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The good thing about Monday's collapse by the Ankeny baseball team was that it didn't happen four nights later. The Hawks held a 5-2 lead against visiting Valley before the Tigers erupted for seven runs in the seventh inning to post a 9-5 victory in the CIML Conference finale for both teams. "We kind of had a two-out nightmare there in the last … [Read more...] about ‘We let it slip away’: Hawks fall to Valley after giving up 7 runs in 7th inning

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

‘I just reminded myself to relax’: Riesberg homers twice, leads Ankeny to two wins

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Rylee Riesberg and the Ankeny softball team can't wait for the start of postseason play. That's because the third-ranked Hawkettes are one of the state's hottest teams. Riesberg homered in both games, the first two homers of her varsity career, as Ankeny defeated a pair of opponents on Monday at Cedar Rapids. The Hawkettes posted a 4-3 victory over … [Read more...] about ‘I just reminded myself to relax’: Riesberg homers twice, leads Ankeny to two wins

Ex-Jaguar Strait signs deal to play pro basketball for KK Joker in Serbian league

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Former Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball star Hunter Strait has signed a contract to play professionally in Serbia. Strait will be joining the team that is named after NBA superstar Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, KK Joker. "This has been a dream of mine since I was a little kid," said Strait, a 6-foot-2 guard. "I always wanted to play … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguar Strait signs deal to play pro basketball for KK Joker in Serbian league

‘Xavier was my clear first choice’: Schwebach to swim for Musketeers

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Ankeny boys' swimming standout Owen Schwebach has verbally committed to Xavier University in Cincinnati. Schwebach, a senior-to-be, picked the Musketeers over the University of Denver and Lindenwood University. "After my visit, Xavier was my clear first choice," said Schwebach. "I loved the size of the campus, the team atmosphere, and the support for … [Read more...] about ‘Xavier was my clear first choice’: Schwebach to swim for Musketeers

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kennedy Palmer, Ankeny softball

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Senior second baseman Kennedy Palmer has helped the third-ranked Ankeny softball team to a 27-6 record. The Hawkettes will play two games in Cedar Rapids on Monday against Cedar Rapids Xavier, the No. 7 team in Class 4A, and West Delaware. Palmer is batting .345 with three doubles and 18 RBIs. She leads the Hawkettes with two triples and has also stolen … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kennedy Palmer, Ankeny softball

‘We just have to regroup’: Oakie exits early in Jaguars’ loss at Sioux City North

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The Ankeny Centennial baseball team entered Saturday's non-conference doubleheader at Sioux City North with a chance to break the school record for most victories in a season. The top-ranked Jaguars will now have to wait until at least Monday to set a new mark. After Centennial dropped a 4-1 decision in the opener of the twinbill, the Jaguars jumped … [Read more...] about ‘We just have to regroup’: Oakie exits early in Jaguars’ loss at Sioux City North

Mahoney, Christensen lead Eagles past Murray in Class 1A district quarterfinal

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There's an old adage that says it's difficult to beat an opponent three times in the same season. The Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team proved otherwise on Saturday. The Eagles opened postseason play with an 11-1 victory over Bluegrass Conference rival Murray in six innings in a Class 1A district quarterfinal at Northview Park. The Mustangs (4-19) … [Read more...] about Mahoney, Christensen lead Eagles past Murray in Class 1A district quarterfinal