Ankeny Fanatic

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Brett Delaney

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

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

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

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

Suarez’s walk-off blast gives Jaguars sweep of season series against Ankeny

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When Ankeny Centennial's Claire Suarez stepped to the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning on Thursday, she was looking to start a game-winning rally. The junior second baseman did a lot more than that. Suarez connected on a two-ball, one-strike pitch for a leadoff homer to left-center field, allowing the sixth-ranked Centennial softball team to … [Read more...] about Suarez’s walk-off blast gives Jaguars sweep of season series against Ankeny

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

Jaguars rout Davis County, Pleasantville after being rained out on Friday

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After being rained out on Friday, the Ankeny Centennial softball team won its final two games in the Brent Prange Classic on Saturday at Centennial. The sixth-ranked Jaguars posted a 9-0 victory over Davis County, the No. 9 team in Class 3A. They then defeated Pleasantville, 9-3, for their fourth straight win. "Our girls are starting to swing the bat … [Read more...] about Jaguars rout Davis County, Pleasantville after being rained out on Friday

‘We just didn’t quite get over the hump’: Jaguars are swept by No. 1 Waukee NW

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The Ankeny Centennial softball team needed just one more big hit to knock off top-ranked Waukee Northwest in the first game of a doubleheader on Wednesday at Centennial. Unfortunately, the No. 5 Jaguars didn't get it. Northwest held on for a 5-4 victory, then completed a sweep of the season series by winning the nightcap, 13-2, in five innings. "Our … [Read more...] about ‘We just didn’t quite get over the hump’: Jaguars are swept by No. 1 Waukee NW

Lathrop earns first varsity win to finish off Jaguars’ sweep over Marshalltown

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The Ankeny Centennial softball team continues to dominate most of its opponents in the CIML Iowa Conference. The fifth-ranked Jaguars earned their fifth doubleheader sweep of the season on Thursday with a pair of run-rule victories over visiting Marshalltown. They rolled to a 14-2 win in four innings, then completed the sweep with an 11-0 triumph in five … [Read more...] about Lathrop earns first varsity win to finish off Jaguars’ sweep over Marshalltown

HOME SWEEP HOME: Jaguars post identical 12-0 wins over Mason City

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The Ankeny Centennial softball players were prepared for a long bus ride to Mason City on Wednesday. It turns out that the Jaguars never had to board the bus. The CIML Iowa Conference doubleheader was moved to Centennial due to a wet field in Mason City, and the sixth-ranked Jaguars went on to sweep the twinbill by identical 12-0 scores. "Our girls … [Read more...] about HOME SWEEP HOME: Jaguars post identical 12-0 wins over Mason City

‘We just didn’t score enough runs’: Jaguars fall twice to No. 1 Waukee NW

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The Ankeny Centennial softball pitchers allowed just five runs on Monday in a doubleheader at top-ranked Waukee Northwest. Unfortunately, the No. 5 Jaguars managed just two runs themselves. The Wolves posted a 2-1 victory in eight innings in the first game, then completed a sweep of the twinbill with a 3-1 triumph in the nightcap. "Our pitchers … [Read more...] about ‘We just didn’t score enough runs’: Jaguars fall twice to No. 1 Waukee NW

Jaguars outlast Ankeny girls in 12 innings, then complete sweep with 5-2 win

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It took 19 innings for the Ankeny Centennial softball team to earn a pair of victories against its crosstown rival on Thursday. The second-ranked Jaguars traveled across town to Ankeny and posted an 8-5 win in 12 innings in the opener. They then defeated the Hawkettes again, 5-2, to complete a sweep of the CIML Iowa Conference doubleheader. "It was a … [Read more...] about Jaguars outlast Ankeny girls in 12 innings, then complete sweep with 5-2 win

No. 1 Fort Dodge sweeps No. 2 Jaguars in rematch of last year’s 5A title game

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There isn't much of a gap between the state's top two softball teams in Class 5A. However, top-ranked Fort Dodge still has the edge over No. 2 Ankeny Centennial. In a rematch of last year's Class 5A championship game, the host Dodgers swept a CIML Iowa Conference doubleheader on Tuesday. They walked off with a 3-2 win in the first game, then hit a … [Read more...] about No. 1 Fort Dodge sweeps No. 2 Jaguars in rematch of last year’s 5A title game

Klunder’s walk-off hit caps rally, gives Jaguars 5-4 victory over No. 6 Bettendorf

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Bouncing back from a loss earlier in the day, the second-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team rallied for two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to beat No. 6 Bettendorf, 5-4, on Friday at the Johnston Invitational. Lizzy Klunder capped the rally with a walk-off hit that drove in pinch-runner Addie Pollock from third with the winning run. "She … [Read more...] about Klunder’s walk-off hit caps rally, gives Jaguars 5-4 victory over No. 6 Bettendorf

‘We’ve got a lot of talent’: No. 2 Jaguars rout Marshalltown twice to open season

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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

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

‘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