When Joey Oakie was passed over on the first night of the MLB amateur draft on Sunday, it appeared that the Ankeny Centennial pitcher might be headed to Iowa to play college baseball. But then his agent called with some big news: There was a team willing to pay him the money that he wanted. On Monday, the Cleveland Guardians selected Oakie in the third … [Read more...] about ‘Whatever team selected me would be a dream come true’: Guardians draft Oakie
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‘Everything happens for a reason’: Brecht selected by Rockies with 38th pick
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
‘It’s just one step at a time’: Jaguars rout Marshalltown, will host Waukee next
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Ankeny Centennial softball team has taken the first step toward defending its Class 5A state championship. The sixth-ranked Jaguars were dominant in every aspect of the game as they romped to a 10-0 victory over visiting Marshalltown in five innings in a regional semifinal on Saturday. “Marshalltown is a real quality … [Read more...] about ‘It’s just one step at a time’: Jaguars rout Marshalltown, will host Waukee next
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Sean Stewart, Ankeny Centennial baseball
Senior pitcher Sean Stewart tossed a five-inning perfect game to lead the fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial baseball team to a 10-0 victory over visiting Marshalltown in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Friday. He struck out eight of the 15 batters that he retired. Stewart has helped the Jaguars to a 29-10 record. He has compiled a 7-1 mark with a 2.03 … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Sean Stewart, Ankeny Centennial baseball
‘We knew we could get the job done’: Lensmeyer, Ankeny girls oust Wahawks
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
‘We’ve never been here before’: Eagles advance to substate final for first time
The Ankeny Christian Academy baseball program has reached unprecedented heights. The Eagles advanced to a Class 1A substate final for the first time in school history by defeating Earlham, 5-3, in a district final on Saturday at Ankeny High School. "The guys have put in a ton of work this year," said Ankeny Christian coach Ryan Johnson. "It's the first … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve never been here before’: Eagles advance to substate final for first time
‘We’re pretty happy about the season’: Eagles close out debut campaign at 18-7
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) There’s no question that Ankeny Christian Academy’s softball team knew they had some serious talent in the lineup. But with it being the first season in the program’s history, the 2024 season was all about laying the foundation. So while the Eagles saw their season come to an end following a 7-0 loss at fifth-ranked … [Read more...] about ‘We’re pretty happy about the season’: Eagles close out debut campaign at 18-7
ROAD WARRIORS: Hawks top C.B. Lincoln, will head to Sioux City East on Monday
Perhaps no team in the state will have to travel farther to make it to the state tournament than the Ankeny baseball squad. The Hawks opened postseason play on Friday with a 5-2 victory over Council Bluffs Lincoln in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal at Iowa Western Community College. "We were very confident as a team," said winning pitcher Jack … [Read more...] about ROAD WARRIORS: Hawks top C.B. Lincoln, will head to Sioux City East on Monday
‘I was ready to go’: Stewart tosses perfect game in Jaguars’ win over Marshalltown
Sean Stewart used a lot of first-pitch fastballs to get ahead of the Marshalltown hitters on Friday night. The strategy worked perfectly. The Ankeny Centennial senior tossed a five-inning perfect game and the fifth-ranked Jaguars rolled to a 10-0 victory in a Class 4A substate baseball quarterfinal at Centennial. "I just got ahead early and then … [Read more...] about ‘I was ready to go’: Stewart tosses perfect game in Jaguars’ win over Marshalltown
Five questions with former Ankeny star and MLB draft prospect Brody Brecht
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
‘This team is never out of it’: Eagles rally from 7-0 deficit to win postseason debut
Ankeny Christian Academy pitcher Katie Quick wasn't too concerned when the Coon Rapids-Bayard softball team scored seven runs in the top of the first inning during Wednesday's Class 1A regional quarterfinal at the Prairie Ridge Sports Complex. "I was a little worried, but I know we can score that many (runs)," said Quick. "I was just thinking we need to … [Read more...] about ‘This team is never out of it’: Eagles rally from 7-0 deficit to win postseason debut
Eagles overcome shaky start to beat Madrid, will meet Earlham in district final
For the second game in a row, the Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team used a big rally in the bottom of the fifth inning to keep its season alive. The Eagles scored twice in the fifth to erase a 3-2 deficit and went on to beat Madrid, 5-3, in a Class 1A district semifinal on Tuesday at Northview Park in Urbandale. "Madrid's a good team," said ACA … [Read more...] about Eagles overcome shaky start to beat Madrid, will meet Earlham in district final
‘Softball is a tough sport’: Hawkettes fall below .500 mark with loss to Indianola
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
Alberhasky tosses 4-hitter, fans 6 as Jaguars edge Valley to close out season
Despite scoring just six runs over the last 21 innings, the Ankeny Centennial baseball team will take a three-game winning streak into postseason play. The fifth-ranked Jaguars closed out the regular season on Tuesday with a 1-0 victory over visiting Valley. They won a pitcher's duel for the third time in the last 24 hours after sweeping a doubleheader on … [Read more...] about Alberhasky tosses 4-hitter, fans 6 as Jaguars edge Valley to close out season
Clevidence leads Hawks to 15-5 victory at Fort Dodge in regular-season finale
The Ankeny baseball team closed out the regular season on Monday with a 15-5 victory at Fort Dodge in five innings in a non-conference game. The Hawks scored six runs in the second inning, then added two in the fourth and seven more in the fifth to build a 15-0 advantage. Fort Dodge answered with five runs in the bottom of the fifth, but it wasn't enough … [Read more...] about Clevidence leads Hawks to 15-5 victory at Fort Dodge in regular-season finale
MADYBOMB: Ott’s walk-off blast finishes sweep, gives Jags at least share of crown
Ankeny Centennial's Mady Ott was surprised when the Urbandale softball team elected to pitch to her. It was a decision that the 11th-ranked J-Hawks are now regretting. With two outs and first base open, Ott blasted a three-run homer over the flag pole in left-center field to give the No. 6 Jaguars a 10-8 victory in eight innings to complete a sweep of … [Read more...] about MADYBOMB: Ott’s walk-off blast finishes sweep, gives Jags at least share of crown
Morris, Rawlings hurl back-to-back gems as Jaguars sweep Urbandale, 4-1 and 1-0
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team might have the deepest pitching staff in the state. The fifth-ranked Jaguars showed off their tremendous depth on Monday as Will Morris and Tripp Rawlings tossed back-to-back complete games in a doubleheader sweep over visiting Urbandale. Morris threw a four-hitter and had nine strikeouts to lead Centennial to a 4-1 … [Read more...] about Morris, Rawlings hurl back-to-back gems as Jaguars sweep Urbandale, 4-1 and 1-0
Eagles rally past Panorama, will host Madrid next in Class 1A district semifinal
Eli Christensen and Tyler Mahoney combined on a three-hitter to lead the Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team past Panorama, 4-1, in a Class 1A district quarterfinal on Saturday at Northview Park in Urbandale. The Eagles (16-8) used a three-run fifth inning to erase Panorama's early 1-0 lead. They then added an insurance run in the sixth. "I was … [Read more...] about Eagles rally past Panorama, will host Madrid next in Class 1A district semifinal
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Addi Starr, Ankeny Centennial softball
Senior catcher and third baseman Addi Starr has helped the sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team to a 26-9 record. The Jaguars are 11-3 in the CIML Conference, putting them in a four-way tie for first place atop the league standings heading into Monday's doubleheader at home against No. 11 Urbandale. Starr drove in the winning run in the ninth … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Addi Starr, Ankeny Centennial softball
Jaguars outlast Waukee NW in nightcap, remain tied for CIML Conference lead
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The stage was set heading into Saturday afternoon and things were simple for the Ankeny Centennial softball team: the sixth-ranked Jaguars needed to pull out at least one win against No. 5 Waukee Northwest to stay alive in the race for the CIML Conference title. The Jaguars suffered a 3-1 loss to open up the weekend … [Read more...] about Jaguars outlast Waukee NW in nightcap, remain tied for CIML Conference lead