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Dave Bingham

Ankeny assistant Saladino hired to take over Hawkettes’ softball program

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Ankeny assistant softball coach Sarah Saladino has been hired to take over the Hawkettes' program. She replaces head coach Dave Bingham, who recently announced his resignation after guiding Ankeny to a 293-188 record and four trips to the state tournament over the last 12 seasons. "There's a lot of great things that coach Bingham has put in place," … [Read more...] about Ankeny assistant Saladino hired to take over Hawkettes’ softball program

‘We have grandkids now’: Bingham leaves after 12 seasons as Ankeny softball coach

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Dave Bingham has resigned after 12 seasons as the head coach of the Ankeny softball team. Bingham, who guided the Hawkettes to a 293-188 record and four trips to the state tournament, said it's too early to call it a retirement. "I'll never rule anything out (as far as coaching again)," he said. "But right now I need to focus on work and my … [Read more...] about ‘We have grandkids now’: Bingham leaves after 12 seasons as Ankeny softball coach

Lindaman becomes 9th Ankeny player to join IGHSAU Softball Hall of Fame

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The 2012 Ankeny softball team was already blessed with a handful of stars. But when eighth grader Kendyl Lindaman joined the team's lineup, the Hawkettes became nearly unbeatable. Lindaman set a Class 5A tournament record with three home runs while helping Ankeny to the 13th state championship in school history. She was named the captain of the … [Read more...] about Lindaman becomes 9th Ankeny player to join IGHSAU Softball Hall of Fame

‘We were doubted for sure’: Hawkettes place 4th, their highest finish since 2013

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When the Ankeny softball team entered postseason play on a six-game losing streak, the odds of the Hawkettes capturing a state tournament trophy seemed remote at best. But over the last two weeks, that's exactly what coach Dave Bingham's squad was able to do. Ninth-ranked Ankeny closed out the season on Thursday with a 6-5 loss to No. 11 Urbandale in … [Read more...] about ‘We were doubted for sure’: Hawkettes place 4th, their highest finish since 2013

‘It just didn’t go our way’: Hawkettes will play for 3rd place after tumbling to Valley

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Not even a 90-minute rain delay could slow down the Valley softball team's impressive march to the Class 5A championship game. The top-ranked Tigers overcame a brief thunderstorm in the top of the third inning to beat No. 9 Ankeny, 8-1, in the semifinals of the state tournament on Wednesday at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. "They're a good hitting … [Read more...] about ‘It just didn’t go our way’: Hawkettes will play for 3rd place after tumbling to Valley

‘You could feel this’: Ankeny girls blank Wolves, will face No. 1 Valley in semifinals

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On paper, the ninth-ranked Ankeny softball team appeared to be facing an uphill battle against No. 4 Waukee Northwest in Monday's Class 5A quarterfinals at the state tournament. Ankeny coach Dave Bingham, though, had plenty of confidence in his squad. "I don't know if a team was more prepared for a game in all of my years of coaching," Bingham said … [Read more...] about ‘You could feel this’: Ankeny girls blank Wolves, will face No. 1 Valley in semifinals

‘We have some unfinished business’: Hawkettes top S.E. Polk, earn trip to state

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The struggles of early July have been long forgotten by the Ankeny softball players. The ninth-ranked Hawkettes are headed to the state tournament. Abby Rusher tossed a six-hitter and Kensington Arringdale hit a home run to lead Ankeny past No. 10 Southeast Polk, 6-2, in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday at Ankeny. The Hawkettes (21-20), who ended … [Read more...] about ‘We have some unfinished business’: Hawkettes top S.E. Polk, earn trip to state

‘We knew we could get the job done’: Lensmeyer, Ankeny girls oust Wahawks

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It wasn't ideal for the Ankeny softball team to be entering postseason play on the heels of a six-game losing streak. The lack of momentum didn't seem to bother Aubrey Lensmeyer. The junior combined with Abby Rusher on a three-hitter and also hit a home run to lead the ninth-ranked Hawkettes to a 6-2 victory over visiting Waterloo West in a Class 5A … [Read more...] about ‘We knew we could get the job done’: Lensmeyer, Ankeny girls oust Wahawks

‘Softball is a tough sport’: Hawkettes fall below .500 mark with loss to Indianola

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The Ankeny softball team fell below the .500 mark for the first time since its season opener on Monday, dropping a 4-2 decision to visiting Indianola for its sixth consecutive loss. The eighth-ranked Hawkettes slipped to 19-20 on the season. Indianola raised its record to 19-17. "Softball is a tough sport, and we're feeling it," said Ankeny coach Dave … [Read more...] about ‘Softball is a tough sport’: Hawkettes fall below .500 mark with loss to Indianola

No. 1 Valley sweeps Hawkettes, moves into four-way tie atop CIML Conference

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The Ankeny softball team ran into a buzzsaw on Monday night. Top-ranked Valley extended its winning streak to 15 games by sweeping a doubleheader at No. 6 Ankeny. The Tigers overcame an early 2-0 deficit to post a 16-4 victory in the opener, then completed the sweep with a 7-3 triumph. Valley moved into a four-way tie for first place in the CIML … [Read more...] about No. 1 Valley sweeps Hawkettes, moves into four-way tie atop CIML Conference

‘A lot of kids stepped up’: Hawkettes blank Ballard after falling to No. 1 North Polk

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The Ankeny softball team bounced back from a 2-0 loss to North Polk with a 7-0 victory over Ballard at the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational on Friday. Both games reversed the outcome from a contest earlier this season. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes (19-14) avenged a 4-1 loss to Ballard on May 25 at Winterset. Abby Rusher tossed a three-hitter and had 11 … [Read more...] about ‘A lot of kids stepped up’: Hawkettes blank Ballard after falling to No. 1 North Polk

‘I really wanted to beat them’: Arringdale, Ankeny girls earn split against Jaguars

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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

‘I think we flipped a switch’: Hawkettes end North Polk’s 21-game winning streak

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Abby Rusher and the Ankeny softball team took a big step forward on Saturday. Rusher racked up 26 strikeouts across 13 innings as the eighth-ranked Hawkettes posted a pair of victories at Oskaloosa, capped off by a 4-0 win over North Polk. The Comets are the No. 1 team in Class 4A. "This was definitely a key day in our season," said Ankeny coach Dave … [Read more...] about ‘I think we flipped a switch’: Hawkettes end North Polk’s 21-game winning streak

‘We’ve got to get back to some basics’: Hawkettes tumble twice at No. 3 Johnston

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The Ankeny softball team will need to regroup after being swept in Monday's doubleheader at third-ranked Johnston. The Dragons posted an 8-5 victory in the opener, then followed with a 12-2 win in six innings. They extended their winning streak to five games. The No. 7 Hawkettes, meanwhile, have lost four in a row. "We're streaky right now, and … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve got to get back to some basics’: Hawkettes tumble twice at No. 3 Johnston

Jaguars cruise to championship of Fort Dodge Invitational; Ankeny places 4th

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Mady Ott and the Ankeny Centennial softball team feel right at home at Harlan Rogers Park. Ott homered twice and drove in seven runs on Saturday as the fifth-ranked Jaguars cruised to the championship of the 16-team Fort Dodge Invitational. They rallied for an 11-5 victory over Class 3A No. 1 Williamsburg in the semifinals, then followed with an 8-2 … [Read more...] about Jaguars cruise to championship of Fort Dodge Invitational; Ankeny places 4th

Rusher, Lensmeyer combine to shut down Dowling Catholic in Hawkettes’ sweep

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Abby Rusher and Aubrey Lensmeyer combined to allow just three runs as the Ankeny softball team swept a doubleheader on Wednesday at Dowling Catholic. The seventh-ranked Hawkettes posted a 5-0 victory in the opener, then completed the sweep with a 9-3 triumph. They improved to 6-2 in the CIML Conference and 11-7 overall, while Dowling's records dropped to … [Read more...] about Rusher, Lensmeyer combine to shut down Dowling Catholic in Hawkettes’ sweep

‘It was a lot of innings!’: Lensmeyer carries heavy load as AHS finishes 3-1 at Creston

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Aubrey Lensmeyer and her Ankeny softball teammates have earned a little time off. The seventh-ranked Hawkettes played six games over the last three days, beginning with a doubleheader split at Urbandale on Thursday. They then went 3-1 in the John Stephens Classic this weekend, capped off by a pair of victories on Saturday. Lensmeyer, a junior, pitched … [Read more...] about ‘It was a lot of innings!’: Lensmeyer carries heavy load as AHS finishes 3-1 at Creston

Rusher, Parton lead Hawkettes past Urbandale in first game of doubleheader

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The Ankeny softball team had to settle for a split on Thursday at Urbandale. After the seventh-ranked Hawkettes posted a 2-1 victory in the opener of a CIML Conference doubleheader, Urbandale bounced back with a 3-2 win in the nightcap. The J-Hawks ended a 10-game losing streak to Ankeny. "We're still stuck in that hitting rut a little bit," said … [Read more...] about Rusher, Parton lead Hawkettes past Urbandale in first game of doubleheader