It didn't take long for the Ankeny Centennial softball team to show off its potential. The second-ranked Jaguars opened their season on Monday by sweeping a CIML Iowa Conference doubleheader at Marshalltown in impressive fashion. They rolled to a 16-0 victory in three innings in the opener, then completed the sweep with a 14-0 triumph. "Our girls … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve got a lot of talent’: No. 2 Jaguars rout Marshalltown twice to open season
Brett Delaney
Jaguars return 7 starters from last year’s Class 5A state runner-up squad
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
‘We still got second, and that’s good’: Jaguars settle for runner-up trophy
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
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
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 146
Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz and junior catcher Tamden Webb-Tate preview next week's state baseball tournament in the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America. Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm also breaks down the state softball tournament with junior first baseman Lizzy Klunder and coach Brett Delaney of … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 146
‘We want that championship’: Jaguars advance to Class 5A final for first time
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
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
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
Jaguars oust No. 4 Indianola, will play Iowa City High in Class 5A quarterfinals
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
‘I was confident we could come back’: Centennial rallies past rival for 4-2 victory
After giving up a two-run homer to Ankeny's Marina Carter in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Monday, Ankeny Centennial pitcher Sam Klug wasn't worried. "I was confident we could come back," Klug said. "Very confident." The 10th-ranked Jaguars rallied for three runs in the fifth inning to erase Ankeny's 2-0 lead, then added another run in the sixth to … [Read more...] about ‘I was confident we could come back’: Centennial rallies past rival for 4-2 victory
‘Taking care of business’: Jaguars sweep Mason City to close out regular season
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
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 sweep past Ames, tie school record for most wins in a season
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
‘It was just a fun battle for 14 innings’: Jags hold off Ankeny twice to earn sweep
Monday's softball doubleheader at Ankeny High School was all about pride. A lot more will be at stake the next time the Hawkettes face crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial. The 10th-ranked Jaguars traveled to the south side and came away with a sweep of the twinbill, 7-6 and 12-9. "I think it definitely gives us momentum coming into the next game in a … [Read more...] about ‘It was just a fun battle for 14 innings’: Jags hold off Ankeny twice to earn sweep
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Sam Klug, Ankeny Centennial softball
Senior pitcher Sam Klug has helped the 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team to a 22-7 record. Klug has compiled a 6-4 mark with a 2.56 ERA. She has racked up 81 strikeouts while allowing just 13 walks in 63 innings of work. Here is some inside info on Klug: Congratulations on an outstanding season thus far. What has been the highlight for … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Sam Klug, Ankeny Centennial softball
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 142
Coach Joe Balvanz and shortstop Jase Bauer of the Ankeny baseball team join Coldwell Banker Mid-America realtor Andy Logan and Ankeny Centennial softball coach Brett Delaney as the guests on the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 142
No. 1 Fort Dodge edges Centennial twice, moves closer to league crown
The race for the CIML Iowa Conference softball title isn't over yet. But Monday's doubleheader at Fort Dodge tilted the odds heavily in the top-ranked Dodgers' favor. Fort Dodge swept both games against No. 11 Ankeny Centennial, 1-0 and 3-2, to take a commanding lead in the league race. The Dodgers are now 11-1 in the conference and 22-4 overall, while … [Read more...] about No. 1 Fort Dodge edges Centennial twice, moves closer to league crown
Jaguars romp past Mason City twice, stay in thick of CIML Iowa Conference race
Brett Delaney celebrated his birthday on Wednesday with a pair of run-rule victories. His 11th-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team rolled to a 13-1 win over visiting Mason City in three innings, then completed a sweep of the doubleheader with a 13-3 triumph in five innings. The Jaguars extended their winning streak to five games. "The girls played … [Read more...] about Jaguars romp past Mason City twice, stay in thick of CIML Iowa Conference race
Centennial girls sweep Ames behind complete games from Klug, Fisher
Ankeny Centennial pitcher Sam Klug racked up 16 strikeouts in a 10-inning softball game on Monday night. Fellow senior Maggie Fisher had just two in another complete game, but she was equally effective. The 11th-ranked Jaguars got a pair of outstanding pitching performances en route to a doubleheader sweep at Ames. They posted a 6-4 victory in 10 … [Read more...] about Centennial girls sweep Ames behind complete games from Klug, Fisher
Winfrey hits, pitches Ankeny past Jaguars for split of CIML doubleheader
Kendra Winfrey has established herself as one of the top pitchers on the Ankeny softball team. It turns out she's a pretty good hitter, too. Winfrey pitched a complete game and also slugged two home runs to lead the 13th-ranked Hawkettes to a 13-6 victory in the nightcap of Wednesday's doubleheader at No. 11 Ankeny Centennial. The win ended a five-game … [Read more...] about Winfrey hits, pitches Ankeny past Jaguars for split of CIML doubleheader