Ankeny Fanatic

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Brody Brecht

‘Everything happens for a reason’: Brecht selected by Rockies with 38th pick

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Brody Brecht had to wait a little longer than expected to hear his name called. But in the end, it all worked out. The former Ankeny and Iowa pitcher was selected by the Colorado Rockies with the 38th pick in the 2024 Major League Baseball amateur draft on Sunday night. He was chosen in the Competitive Balance Round A, becoming Iowa's first first-round … [Read more...] about ‘Everything happens for a reason’: Brecht selected by Rockies with 38th pick

Five questions with former Ankeny star and MLB draft prospect Brody Brecht

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Former Ankeny star Brody Brecht is projected to be a first-round pick in the MLB amateur draft that gets under way on Sunday. Iowa's all-time and single-season strikeout leader is considered one of the top collegiate pitching prospects in this year's draft. While his command could push him into a relief role at the next level, his big-time stuff is the … [Read more...] about Five questions with former Ankeny star and MLB draft prospect Brody Brecht

Brecht tosses career-high 7 2/3 innings, fans 12 as Hawkeyes sweep Rutgers

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Former Ankeny star Brody Brecht tossed a career-high 7 2/3 innings and recorded 12 strikeouts to lead the Iowa baseball team past Rutgers, 5-1, to sweep the three-game series on Sunday afternoon at Duane Banks Field in Iowa City. Brecht allowed just one unearned run and one hit in his best outing of the year. “It felt good to be out there and to feel … [Read more...] about Brecht tosses career-high 7 2/3 innings, fans 12 as Hawkeyes sweep Rutgers

Iowa’s Brecht invited to USA Training Camp, named third-team all-American

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University of Iowa sophomore pitcher Brody Brecht was named a third-team all-American, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association announced on Wednesday. It is the third straight year a Hawkeye starting pitcher has earned all-America distinction (Adam Mazur and Trenton Wallace). Brecht, a former Ankeny star, is the 11th player to earn … [Read more...] about Iowa’s Brecht invited to USA Training Camp, named third-team all-American

‘Baseball has become my true passion’: Iowa’s Brecht to step away from football

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Brody Brecht's dual-sport career at the University of Iowa has apparently come to an end. The former Ankeny star announced on Friday that he would step away from football in order to focus on his college baseball career. The hard-throwing righthanded pitcher was named a Baseball America Preseason Third-Team All-American and is projected as a potential … [Read more...] about ‘Baseball has become my true passion’: Iowa’s Brecht to step away from football

Unhittable Brecht named DI Baseball Pitcher of the Week, earns B1G honor too

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If former Ankeny pitcher Brody Brecht continues to throw like he did on Saturday, he may have to reconsider his dual sport career at the University of Iowa. The sophomore righthander was named the DI Baseball Pitcher of the Week, it was announced on Monday. Then, on Tuesday, he was tabbed the Big Ten Co-Pitcher of the Week along with Dominic Pianto … [Read more...] about Unhittable Brecht named DI Baseball Pitcher of the Week, earns B1G honor too

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (1st team)

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Jerry Pezzetti has always started his pregame speeches with the same word during his legendary career as a football coach. "Men," he says. "Just by calling us 'men' we felt big, strong and powerful," said Jon Leverenz, a star linebacker for Pezzetti in the 1980s. "And he would proceed to make us feel unstoppable regardless of the challenges ahead. But … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (1st team)

Bruce, Brecht, Kumm looking to make impact for depleted receiving corps

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Perhaps no position group on the Iowa football team has more question marks than the wide receivers. A trio of former Ankeny stars--Arland Bruce IV, Brody Brecht and Jordan Kumm--will try to provide some answers. Bruce, a sophomore, is currently listed at a second-team spot behind senior Nico Ragaini. Brecht, a redshirt freshman, and Kumm, a sophomore … [Read more...] about Bruce, Brecht, Kumm looking to make impact for depleted receiving corps

Iowa pitcher Brecht named freshman all-American by Collegiate Baseball

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Former Ankeny baseball star Brody Brecht has been named a freshman all-American by Collegiate Baseball. Brecht was honored along with Iowa teammate Keaton Anthony, becoming the 10th and 11th Hawkeyes to earn freshman all-American honors and the first since Peyton Williams in 2020. It is the third time in program history Iowa has had multiple players earn … [Read more...] about Iowa pitcher Brecht named freshman all-American by Collegiate Baseball

Ankeny star Brecht earns all-academic honors from IHSBCA

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Ankeny baseball star Brody Brecht excels off the field, too. Brecht has been named to the 2021 all-academic team by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association. He was a second-team selection. The first team consists of the top 24 players, nominated by their coaches, who demonstrate outstanding academic, moral, and athletic characteristics. The … [Read more...] about Ankeny star Brecht earns all-academic honors from IHSBCA

Hawks survive and advance, capitalize on error to edge Waukee, Wentworth

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An unearned run proved to be the difference on Thursday for the Ankeny baseball team. Cael Boyd hit an RBI single in the fourth inning following a Waukee error to give the second-ranked Hawks a 2-1 victory in the Class 4A quarterfinals at Duane Banks Field in Iowa City. "I was very confident in our pitching to go out and hold them (the rest of the … [Read more...] about Hawks survive and advance, capitalize on error to edge Waukee, Wentworth

‘It feels awesome’: Brecht, Hawks are headed to Iowa City for 4A tournament

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It took the Ankeny baseball team a few innings to figure out Valley pitcher Oliver Parizek on Wednesday night. But once the Hawks did, they cruised to another state tournament berth. Brody Brecht tossed a three-hitter and had 14 strikeouts as second-ranked Ankeny posted a 3-1 victory over the visiting Tigers in a Class 4A substate final. "It feels … [Read more...] about ‘It feels awesome’: Brecht, Hawks are headed to Iowa City for 4A tournament

Bauer hits blast, Brecht continues his shutout streak in Hawks’ win at Waukee

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The Ankeny baseball team hasn't been challenged very often this season, especially in the last six weeks. Tuesday's non-conference game at Waukee showed that the second-ranked Hawks can win a close game under pressure. Jase Bauer homered for the game's only run, Brody Brecht tossed another masterpiece, and Ankeny closed out the regular season with a … [Read more...] about Bauer hits blast, Brecht continues his shutout streak in Hawks’ win at Waukee

After being passed over in MLB draft, Brecht likely to play 2 sports at Iowa

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It appears that Ankeny baseball star Brody Brecht will not be turning pro. The flame-throwing pitcher was not selected in the first 10 rounds of the 2021 MLB amateur draft on Sunday and Monday, which means that he will likely honor his commitment to play football and baseball at Iowa. Brecht has compiled a 7-0 record with a 0.68 ERA this season. … [Read more...] about After being passed over in MLB draft, Brecht likely to play 2 sports at Iowa

SIGNATURE GAME: Brecht fans 17, tosses no-hitter in final start before MLB draft

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Jase Bauer almost felt sorry for his opponents after the Ankeny baseball team defeated visiting Ames, 15-5, in five innings in the first game of a doubleheader on Tuesday. "I was telling someone after we 10-runned these guys and Will (Johnson) pitched a gem and we've got Brody (Brecht) coming out for the second game, that's got to be demoralizing for … [Read more...] about SIGNATURE GAME: Brecht fans 17, tosses no-hitter in final start before MLB draft

‘We’re just competing every game’: Hawks bash their way to another sweep

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The Ankeny baseball team took care of business quickly against an overmatched opponent on Wednesday. The third-ranked Hawks traveled to Marshalltown for a CIML Iowa Conference doubleheader and routed the Bobcats twice, posting a 12-0 victory in five innings and a 17-2 win in four innings. "We're just competing every game," said Ankeny catcher Tamden … [Read more...] about ‘We’re just competing every game’: Hawks bash their way to another sweep

‘I just smiled from ear to ear’: Brecht named Gatorade Iowa Player of the Year

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Ankeny baseball star Brody Brecht woke up on Tuesday to a text message from his head coach, Joe Balvanz. "It said 'Congrats' and I opened it, and it was a link to the Gatorade POY," Brecht said. "I just smiled from ear to ear and was super honored to have been chosen. I thanked God and then got ready for practice." Brecht, a senior pitcher and … [Read more...] about ‘I just smiled from ear to ear’: Brecht named Gatorade Iowa Player of the Year