The second-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team bounced back from a season-opening loss to sweep a doubleheader on Thursday at No. 10 Johnston. The Jaguars posted a 3-2 victory in the opener, then rolled to a 9-0 win in the nightcap. They are now 2-1 in the CIML Conference and overall, while Johnston's records dropped to 1-2 and 1-2. "The girls … [Read more...] about ‘The girls rebounded well’: Centennial sweeps doubleheader at No. 10 Johnston
Brett Delaney
‘It just didn’t work out tonight’: Jaguars open season with 4-3 loss at Waukee
While the Waukee softball team opened its season on Tuesday with a doubleheader sweep over Des Moines Lincoln, Ankeny Centennial wasn't as fortunate. The Jaguars were hoping to tune up for their CIML Conference opener at Waukee with a game at Norwalk, but Tuesday's non-conference contest was postponed due to rain. Without a game under its belt, … [Read more...] about ‘It just didn’t work out tonight’: Jaguars open season with 4-3 loss at Waukee
Loaded Centennial squad embraces team-first mentality heading into season
Scoring runs likely won't be a problem this season for the Ankeny Centennial softball team. The Jaguars will again boast two of the state's top hitters in Jordyn Kennedy and Mady Ott. They led the team to a 29-10 record and a share of the CIML Conference title a year ago after playing key roles on Centennial's state championship squad in 2023. Those … [Read more...] about Loaded Centennial squad embraces team-first mentality heading into season
‘It’s just one step at a time’: Jaguars rout Marshalltown, will host Waukee next
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Ankeny Centennial softball team has taken the first step toward defending its Class 5A state championship. The sixth-ranked Jaguars were dominant in every aspect of the game as they romped to a 10-0 victory over visiting Marshalltown in five innings in a regional semifinal on Saturday. “Marshalltown is a real quality … [Read more...] about ‘It’s just one step at a time’: Jaguars rout Marshalltown, will host Waukee next
Jaguars outlast Waukee NW in nightcap, remain tied for CIML Conference lead
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The stage was set heading into Saturday afternoon and things were simple for the Ankeny Centennial softball team: the sixth-ranked Jaguars needed to pull out at least one win against No. 5 Waukee Northwest to stay alive in the race for the CIML Conference title. The Jaguars suffered a 3-1 loss to open up the weekend … [Read more...] about Jaguars outlast Waukee NW in nightcap, remain tied for CIML Conference lead
Centennial softball team falls to Indianola, Norwalk at Dallas Center-Grimes Invite
Stepping out of conference play, the Ankeny Centennial softball team faced two opponents on Friday at the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational and suffered a pair of losses. The fourth-ranked Jaguars opened the tournament by dropping an 8-6 decision to Indianola in a seesaw battle. They later fell to Norwalk, 4-1. "We'll be all right," said Centennial … [Read more...] about Centennial softball team falls to Indianola, Norwalk at Dallas Center-Grimes Invite
‘I really wanted to beat them’: Arringdale, Ankeny girls earn split against Jaguars
Ankeny's Kensington Arringdale grew up on the north side of town. That's why she wanted to beat rival Ankeny Centennial so bad. "I went there (to the north feeder schools) from first to ninth grade," said Arringdale, a sophomore shortstop. After earlier hitting a pair of home runs, Arringdale drove in the go-ahead runs with another hit as the … [Read more...] about ‘I really wanted to beat them’: Arringdale, Ankeny girls earn split against Jaguars
‘Tonight was a special night’: Seniors help Jaguars to another sweep, into first place
Just call it a perfect dozen. The Ankeny Centennial softball team extended its winning streak to 12 games with a doubleheader sweep over visiting Dowling Catholic on Monday. The fifth-ranked Jaguars posted a 10-0 victory in six innings in the opener, then followed with a 10-2 win in the nightcap. "Tonight was a special night for us," said Centennial … [Read more...] about ‘Tonight was a special night’: Seniors help Jaguars to another sweep, into first place
Jaguars roll past Waukee twice, move into tie for first place in CIML Conference
The Ankeny Centennial softball team moved into a tie for first place in the CIML Conference by sweeping a doubleheader against visiting Waukee on Wednesday. The fifth-ranked Jaguars rolled to a 10-0 victory in five innings in the opener, then completed the sweep with an 8-4 triumph. They improved to 7-1 in the conference and 15-4 overall, while No. 9 … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll past Waukee twice, move into tie for first place in CIML Conference
‘We just had to find a different way’: Jaguars grind out sweep over Cedar Falls
After pounding six home runs during a doubleheader sweep over Linn-Mar (Marion) on Saturday, the Ankeny Centennial softball team didn't rely as much on the long ball during Monday's twinbill against visiting Cedar Falls. The fourth-ranked Jaguars hit only two roundtrippers while sweeping the non-conference games by scores of 9-2 and 6-3. They improved to … [Read more...] about ‘We just had to find a different way’: Jaguars grind out sweep over Cedar Falls
Kennedy blasts 4 homers, drives in 8 runs in Centennial’s sweep over Linn-Mar
Opposing softball teams have often pitched carefully to Ankeny Centennial's Jordyn Kennedy this season. Linn-Mar (Marion) decided to challenge the sophomore slugger on Saturday. The strategy backfired in a big way. Kennedy went 6-for-6 with four home runs, a double and eight RBIs as the fourth-ranked Jaguars swept a non-conference doubleheader on … [Read more...] about Kennedy blasts 4 homers, drives in 8 runs in Centennial’s sweep over Linn-Mar
Blasts by Ott, Lincicum power Jaguars to doubleheader sweep over S.E. Polk
Mady Ott hit a pair of home runs, Kori Lincicum added another blast, and the Ankeny Centennial softball team swept a doubleheader against visiting Southeast Polk on Thursday. The fourth-ranked Jaguars posted a 10-4 victory in the opener, then completed the sweep with a 6-4 triumph. They improved to 5-1 in the CIML Conference and 8-3 overall, while No. 13 … [Read more...] about Blasts by Ott, Lincicum power Jaguars to doubleheader sweep over S.E. Polk
‘It’s going to be a grind’: Jaguars fall in 8 innings, then edge Johnston to earn split
Monday's softball doubleheader at Ankeny Centennial featured a pair of highly-ranked teams that can often light up the scoreboard. Instead, the two squads faced off in a pair of pitchers' duels. After dropping a 4-0 decision in eight innings to No. 5 Johnston in the first game of a doubleheader, No. 6 Centennial rebounded with a 2-1 win in the nightcap … [Read more...] about ‘It’s going to be a grind’: Jaguars fall in 8 innings, then edge Johnston to earn split
‘We were ready to attack’: Boyle, Jaguars top Ankeny girls at Johnston Invitational
Cora Boyle and the Ankeny Centennial softball team didn't have any time to dwell on Thursday's season-opening loss to Norwalk. About 12 hours later, the top-ranked Jaguars were back on the diamond at the Johnston Invitational, where Boyle tossed a three-hitter and also went 2-for-4 at the plate in a 4-2 victory over No. 5 Ankeny. "We were ready to … [Read more...] about ‘We were ready to attack’: Boyle, Jaguars top Ankeny girls at Johnston Invitational
‘You just have to tip your cap’: Brewer hurls 2-hitter, hits HR in win over Jaguars
Ankeny Centennial freshman Lauren Sandholm showed on Thursday why she is one of the state's top softball pitchers. Unfortunately, Norwalk's Carly Brewer was just a little bit better. Brewer tossed a two-hitter with 11 strikeouts and also homered for the game's only run as Norwalk, the No. 2 team in Class 4A, posted a 1-0 victory at No. 1 Ankeny … [Read more...] about ‘You just have to tip your cap’: Brewer hurls 2-hitter, hits HR in win over Jaguars
Jaguars boast 6 returning starters from last year’s Class 5A championship team
There's going to be a big target this season on the Ankeny Centennial softball team. After cruising to their first state championship in dominating fashion a year ago, the Jaguars will undoubtedly be getting the best shot from their opponents in 2024. It's a challenge that coach Brett Delaney and his players wholeheartedly welcome. "Last year was a … [Read more...] about Jaguars boast 6 returning starters from last year’s Class 5A championship team
Delaney named district coach of the year; 3 Jaguars, 2 Hawkettes also honored
It was a storybook season for coach Brett Delaney and the Ankeny Centennial softball team. After guiding the Jaguars to a 36-5 record and the first state title in school history, Delaney has been named the Class 5A West district coach of the year by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. He also led his team to the CIML Conference crown. Three of … [Read more...] about Delaney named district coach of the year; 3 Jaguars, 2 Hawkettes also honored
‘This is so well-deserved’: Dominant Jaguars romp to Class 5A softball crown
It was a moment that Mariah Belzer will never forget. Ankeny Centennial's senior shortstop caught a line drive off the bat of Pleasant Valley's Ashley Hansen for the final out of Thursday's Class 5A state championship softball game, securing the Jaguars' first title in school history. "She's a slapper, and she hit it that way the last time," Belzer … [Read more...] about ‘This is so well-deserved’: Dominant Jaguars romp to Class 5A softball crown
JAGUAR UPRISING: 8-run outburst in 5th inning sends Centennial to 5A title game
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
PRETTY IN PINK: Jaguars dye their hair, then roll to 7-1 victory over Bettendorf
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