If the Ankeny softball team is going to have a successful season, Zoe Baker and Anna Voigt will likely have to play key roles for the Hawkettes. The two seniors came up big on Friday as Ankeny posted a pair of victories at the Creston Invitational. The Hawkettes rallied for a 9-7 win over Burlington and also defeated Creston, 5-3, to raise their record to … [Read more...] about Baker, Voigt lead Hawkettes to wins over Burlington, Creston
Dave Bingham
No. 5 Waukee softball team sweeps Hawkettes to remain unbeaten
The Ankeny softball team ran into a buzzsaw on Thursday at Waukee. The fifth-ranked Warriors remained unbeaten by sweeping a doubleheader, 9-2 and 7-3. They lifted their record to 11-0 on the season, while Ankeny dropped to 1-5. Waukee is averaging nearly 10 runs per game. "They didn't really pound the ball," Ankeny coach Dave Bingham said of the … [Read more...] about No. 5 Waukee softball team sweeps Hawkettes to remain unbeaten
Hawkettes hold off Dowling for their first win of the season
The Ankeny softball team finally got the monkey off its back. After losing a late lead in each of their previous three games, the Hawkettes built an 8-2 advantage over visiting Dowling Catholic on Tuesday and then held on to beat the Maroons, 10-6, for their first win of the season. "I think we've been playing some great softball," said Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about Hawkettes hold off Dowling for their first win of the season
Ballard rallies for 5 runs in 7th inning, spoils Hawkettes’ season opener
When the Ankeny softball team erupted for eight runs in the first inning of Wednesday's game against visiting Ballard, it looked like the Hawkettes were going to roll to a season-opening victory. But the Bombers refused to go away. Ballard scored four runs in the third inning, then rallied for five more in the seventh to post a 10-9 victory. Catcher … [Read more...] about Ballard rallies for 5 runs in 7th inning, spoils Hawkettes’ season opener
All-stater Rumley returns to lead the way for No. 12 Hawkettes
The Ankeny softball team is ranked 12th in Class 5A in the preseason rankings by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. The return of slugger Jasmine Rumley has a lot to do with that. Rumley recently committed to continue her swimming career at the University of Tennessee. But the junior outfielder is also one of the state's premier softball … [Read more...] about All-stater Rumley returns to lead the way for No. 12 Hawkettes
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 43
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by the Ankeny office of Iowa Realty. Ankeny softball coach Dave Bingham stopped by to visit with Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm about a variety of topics, including next week's premiere of the Dome Dynasty documentary about the history of Ankeny football. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 43
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Emily Bogle, Ankeny softball
Senior Emily Bogle helped the Ankeny softball team to a 28-13 record. The ninth-ranked Hawkettes ended their season with a 4-0 loss at No. 5 Valley in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday. Bogle batted .258 with four doubles and eight RBIs. She also stole eight bases. Here is some inside info on Bogle: Congratulations on a great season. What was the … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Emily Bogle, Ankeny softball
Stalzer shuts down Hawkettes, leads Valley to state tourney berth
The Ankeny softball team picked a bad time to have its worst offensive showing of the season. Valley's Claire Stalzer tossed a one-hitter and had 10 strikeouts to lead the fifth-ranked Tigers to a 4-0 victory over visiting Ankeny in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday. The No. 9 Hawkettes, who finished the season with a 28-13 record, had been averaging … [Read more...] about Stalzer shuts down Hawkettes, leads Valley to state tourney berth
Hawkettes to play Valley for trip to state tournament
When the Class 5A regional softball pairings were released, Ankeny appeared to have earned a No. 1 seed in Region 2. That all changed on July 2, when Valley swept a doubleheader against the Hawkettes to capture the CIML Central Conference title. The Tigers then rose to fifth in the final Class 5A rankings, while Ankeny dropped to ninth. That means the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes to play Valley for trip to state tournament
Thomas hits another slam, Rumley homers twice in Hawkettes’ 12-0 rout
Opposing softball teams might want to think twice before pitching to Ankeny's Kennedy Thomas with the bases loaded. Thomas hit her fourth grand slam of the year, Jasmine Rumley added a pair of solo blasts, and the ninth-ranked Hawkettes rolled to a 12-0 victory over visiting Council Bluffs Jefferson in four innings in a Class 5A regional semifinal on … [Read more...] about Thomas hits another slam, Rumley homers twice in Hawkettes’ 12-0 rout
Valley sweeps Hawkettes, claims Central Conference crown
If the Ankeny softball team defeats Valley next week to earn a trip to the Class 5A state tournament, none of the Hawkettes will even care about what happened on Monday night. The ninth-ranked Tigers swept a doubleheader against No. 8 Ankeny, 12-5 and 14-8, to clinch the outright CIML Central Conference title. The two teams entered the twinbill at Valley … [Read more...] about Valley sweeps Hawkettes, claims Central Conference crown
Buttjer honored before Hawkettes drop 3-2 decision to North Polk
Senior Sophie Buttjer has appeared in only five games this season for the Ankeny softball team, pitching a total of 10 2/3 innings. Buttjer was sidelined by a blood clot in her leg that prevented her from being a part of the Hawkettes' regular rotation on the mound. "It was an emotional deal," said Ankeny coach Dave Bingham. "I think she would have … [Read more...] about Buttjer honored before Hawkettes drop 3-2 decision to North Polk
Magical season continues for Hawkettes with 2 extra-inning wins over Waukee
It's been a season of magical moments for Kennedy Thomas and the eighth-ranked Ankeny softball team. On Wednesday, Thomas delivered the most magical moment thus far. The senior slugger hit a walk-off grand slam with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Hawkettes a 9-6 victory over No. 11 Waukee in the first game of a CIML Central … [Read more...] about Magical season continues for Hawkettes with 2 extra-inning wins over Waukee
Thomas’ grand slam lifts Hawkettes past Centennial in 10-9 thriller
Even when Kennedy Thomas thinks she has hit a pop fly, the ball often carries over the fence. Thomas hit a pair of home runs, including a go-ahead grand slam in the sixth inning, to lead the eighth-ranked Ankeny softball team to a 10-9 victory at rival Ankeny Centennial in a rain-shortened game on Monday. "I did get a pitch I was looking for on the … [Read more...] about Thomas’ grand slam lifts Hawkettes past Centennial in 10-9 thriller
Bingham watches from dugout as Hawkettes sweep Dowling Catholic
Ankeny softball coach Dave Bingham has been coaching from the dugout in recent games. The way the Hawkettes played on Thursday, he may stay there for awhile. Eighth-ranked Ankeny swept a non-conference doubleheader against No. 14 Dowling Catholic at Dick Rasmussen Field to raise its overall record to 20-6. The Hawkettes posted a 6-5 victory in the … [Read more...] about Bingham watches from dugout as Hawkettes sweep Dowling Catholic
Hawkettes regain sole possession of first place on Daugherty’s walk-off single
With one swing of the bat, Malea Daugherty lifted the Ankeny softball team back into sole possession of first place in the CIML Central Conference. Daugherty hit a walk-off single with two outs in the eighth inning to give the 11th-ranked Hawkettes a 5-4 victory over No. 12 Southeast Polk in the second game of a doubleheader on Wednesday at Ankeny. The … [Read more...] about Hawkettes regain sole possession of first place on Daugherty’s walk-off single
Hawkettes knock off No. 1 C.R. Kennedy, finish 2nd at Fort Dodge Invitational
The Ankeny softball team was just three outs away from winning the Fort Dodge Invitational title on Saturday. Unfortunately, the host Dodgers refused to go away quietly. Tenth-ranked Fort Dodge scored four unearned runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to rally past the Hawkettes, 10-9, in the championship game of the tournament. The Dodgers (20-4) … [Read more...] about Hawkettes knock off No. 1 C.R. Kennedy, finish 2nd at Fort Dodge Invitational
Thomas blasts 2 more HRs; Hawkettes sweep Valley for league lead
Whatever Kennedy Thomas is doing at the plate, it appears to be working. Thomas blasted two home runs in the first game of a doubleheader against third-ranked Valley on Wednesday, igniting the Ankeny softball team to a rare sweep of the visiting Tigers. The Hawkettes posted wins of 5-2 and 6-4 to move into sole possession of first place in the CIML … [Read more...] about Thomas blasts 2 more HRs; Hawkettes sweep Valley for league lead
Fearless Hawkettes snap 12-game losing streak against Waukee
Jasmine Rumley had no idea that the Ankeny softball team had just defeated Waukee for the first time since 2014. "Holy cow, that's awesome," said Rumley. The sophomore outfielder went 3-for-4 with a home run, a triple and four RBIs to lead the Hawkettes to a 9-5 victory at fourth-ranked Waukee on Monday. The Warriors had won 12 straight games against … [Read more...] about Fearless Hawkettes snap 12-game losing streak against Waukee
Jaguars end losing streak, earn split against No. 13 Ankeny
The Ankeny Centennial softball team got a much-needed victory on Thursday night. A former Centennial player helped 13th-ranked Ankeny to a 10-6 win in the first game of a CIML Central Conference doubleheader before the Jaguars rebounded with an 11-4 triumph in the nightcap at Ankeny. The win was Centennial's first against a league opponent and snapped … [Read more...] about Jaguars end losing streak, earn split against No. 13 Ankeny