(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Ankeny Centennial softball team had played Urbandale three times before Saturday’s Class 5A regional semifinal, and each time the Jaguars cruised to an easy victory. But when it comes to postseason play, you never know what can happen. Visiting Urbandale threatened to put the fourth-ranked and top-seeded Jaguars on … [Read more...] about Jaguars overcome 6-0 deficit to beat Urbandale for 4th time, keep season alive
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Jaguars romp past Marshalltown in 6 innings, will host Linn-Mar on Monday
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) After three innings, the Ankeny Centennial baseball team found itself clinging to a one-run lead over visiting Marshalltown on Saturday. Then the Jaguars slammed the door shut. Ninth-ranked Centennial piled on nine runs in the next three innings to bring the Class 4A substate quarterfinal to an early end with an 11-1 … [Read more...] about Jaguars romp past Marshalltown in 6 innings, will host Linn-Mar on Monday
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kaylyn Miller, Ankeny softball
Senior third baseman Kaylyn Miller helped the Ankeny softball team to a 5-1 victory at ninth-ranked Ames in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday. The Hawkettes (13-26) will play at No. 3 Southeast Polk (30-10) in the regional final on Tuesday. Miller is batting .232 on the season with seven doubles and 17 RBIs. In the pitcher's circle, she has … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kaylyn Miller, Ankeny softball
‘I’m not surprised at all’: Confident Ankeny girls stun No. 9 Ames in regional semifinal
Aubrey Lensmeyer and her Ankeny softball teammates were confident going into Saturday's game at Ames--even though the contest looked like a mismatch on paper. "We were the underdogs going into it, but I'm not surprised (by the result)," said Lensmeyer. 'If this team plays our game, we can win and beat anyone." Lensmeyer tossed a six-hitter and also had … [Read more...] about ‘I’m not surprised at all’: Confident Ankeny girls stun No. 9 Ames in regional semifinal
‘We fought the whole game’: Hawks end season with 8-4 loss at No. 7 Indianola
The Ankeny baseball team was hoping to pull off some surprises in postseason play. A young and talented Indianola squad didn't let it happen. The seventh-ranked Indians ended Ankeny's season with an 8-4 victory in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Saturday at Indianola. The Hawks finished with a 14-25 record. "Like all year, they never gave up," … [Read more...] about ‘We fought the whole game’: Hawks end season with 8-4 loss at No. 7 Indianola
‘Landon was incredible’: Eagles advance to substate final behind Curtis’ 1-hitter
Ankeny Christian Academy's Landon Curtis promised that he would be better on the mound than his previous outing. The junior righthander delivered a masterpiece. Curtis tossed a one-hitter and had 10 strikeouts to lead the Eagles to a 6-0 victory over Baxter in a Class 1A district baseball final on Saturday at Lynnville-Sully. "We played great," said … [Read more...] about ‘Landon was incredible’: Eagles advance to substate final behind Curtis’ 1-hitter
Eagles top BCLUW, will play at Mason City Newman for trip to 1A state tournament
Ankeny Christian Academy's Katie Quick was surprised when BCLUW elected to pitch to her during the third inning of Saturday's softball game at North Polk Middle School. The senior quickly made the Comets pay for that decision. Quick hit a three-run homer on the first pitch from Kiayre Gallentine to break a scoreless tie, and the 11th-ranked Eagles went … [Read more...] about Eagles top BCLUW, will play at Mason City Newman for trip to 1A state tournament
Former Ankeny infielder Lewis transfers from Morehead State to James Madison
Former Ankeny softball standout Kendra Lewis has committed to play for James Madison University. Lewis, a third baseman and shortstop, is coming off a breakout season at Morehead State, where she earned all-OVC second-team honors as a sophomore. She will have two years of eligibility remaining. Lewis entered the transfer portal after starting all 49 … [Read more...] about Former Ankeny infielder Lewis transfers from Morehead State to James Madison
QUICK WORK: Eagles rout AGWSR in 4 innings behind senior’s slam, no-hitter
Ankeny Christian Academy's Katie Quick enjoyed a night to remember on Wednesday. The senor hit a grand slam and also tossed a no-hitter to lead the 11th-ranked Eagles to a 15-0 victory over AGWSR in four innings in a Class 1A regional softball quarterfinal at North Polk Middle School. "It feels really good," said Quick, who finished with five RBIs. "I … [Read more...] about QUICK WORK: Eagles rout AGWSR in 4 innings behind senior’s slam, no-hitter
Hawks fall twice at No. 3 Johnston, gear up for substate opener at No. 7 Indianola
After entering the week with a seven-game winning streak, the Ankeny baseball team is now on a five-game losing skid. And with the postseason set to begin in less than 48 hours, the Hawks can't afford another loss. Ankeny closed out the regular season on Wednesday with a make-up doubleheader at third-ranked Johnston, which rallied for an 8-7 victory in … [Read more...] about Hawks fall twice at No. 3 Johnston, gear up for substate opener at No. 7 Indianola
‘I’m pretty proud of them’: Eagles outlast SE Warren in 9 innings, reach district final
With only one senior on its roster, the Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team didn't have a lot of expectations this season. But the Eagles are growing up fast. First baseman Tyson Fincham hit a two-run single in the ninth inning and ACA moved two wins away from its first trip to the Class 1A state tournament with a 5-3 victory at Southeast Warren in … [Read more...] about ‘I’m pretty proud of them’: Eagles outlast SE Warren in 9 innings, reach district final
Jaguars close out regular season by splitting doubleheader against Waukee
Darin Severs tossed another gem as the Ankeny Centennial baseball team posted a 9-2 victory over visiting Waukee to salvage a split of Tuesday's make-up CIML Conference doubleheader. The 10th-ranked Warriors won the opener, 6-4, in 10 innings. That game was resumed on Tuesday after being suspended due to rain on June 18. No. 9 Centennial finished the … [Read more...] about Jaguars close out regular season by splitting doubleheader against Waukee
Hawks drop 7-1 decision at North Polk, will head to Johnston next for 2 games
The North Polk baseball team used a six-run outburst in the fourth inning to break a 1-1 tie and went on to defeat visiting Ankeny, 7-1, in a non-conference game on Tuesday. The Hawks dropped to 14-22 overall with their third straight loss. North Polk raised its record to 19-11. Kinnick Vos doubled and walked twice for Ankeny, which had just four hits … [Read more...] about Hawks drop 7-1 decision at North Polk, will head to Johnston next for 2 games
After losing on walk-off blast in 8th inning, Jaguars rally past Urbandale to earn split
Ankeny Centennial's lineup proved to be double trouble for the Urbandale baseball team on Monday night. The ninth-ranked Jaguars pounded out eight doubles among their 18 hits and posted a 10-5 road victory in the second game of a CIML Conference doubleheader, allowing them to salvage a split of the twinbill. Urbandale won the opener, 7-6, on Trey … [Read more...] about After losing on walk-off blast in 8th inning, Jaguars rally past Urbandale to earn split
Hawkettes rally from 9-2 deficit, defeat Valley on Nelson’s walk-off double in 8th
It would not have been ideal for the Ankeny softball team to enter regional play on a seven-game losing skid. A dramatic rally in the first game of Monday's doubleheader against fourth-ranked Valley allowed the Hawkettes to avoid that scenario. Ankeny overcame a 9-2 deficit on its home field and got a walk-off double from Avery Nelson in the bottom of … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rally from 9-2 deficit, defeat Valley on Nelson’s walk-off double in 8th
No. 8 Valley snaps Hawks’ winning streak, moves closer to CIML Conference crown
The Valley baseball team moved closer to the CIML Conference title by sweeping a doubleheader on Monday at Ankeny. The eighth-ranked Tigers posted a 3-2 victory in the opener, then completed the sweep with a 12-3 win. They snapped Ankeny's seven-game winning streak in the process. "Valley has a good number of arms who do a really nice job," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about No. 8 Valley snaps Hawks’ winning streak, moves closer to CIML Conference crown
Jaguars sweep Urbandale to close out regular season, could face J-Hawks again
The Ankeny Centennial softball team closed out the regular season on Monday against the same opponent that it could face on Saturday in a Class 5A regional semifinal. The third-ranked Jaguars swept a doubleheader at Urbandale to wrap up a second-place finish in the CIML Conference. They rolled to a 14-3 victory in five innings in the opener, then … [Read more...] about Jaguars sweep Urbandale to close out regular season, could face J-Hawks again
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Brady Carter, Ankeny baseball
Senior catcher Brady Carter has helped the Ankeny baseball team to a 14-19 record, including an 8-12 mark in the CIML Conference. The Hawks are currently riding a seven-game winning streak. Carter is batting .287 with five doubles and a team-high 20 RBIs. He doubled and drove in three runs as the Hawks celebrated their Senior Night with a 6-5 victory over … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Brady Carter, Ankeny baseball
Eagles roll past Melcher-Dallas, will play in Class 1A district semifinal on Tuesday
The Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team used a six-run third inning to defeat Melcher-Dallas, 9-2, in a Class 1A district quarterfinal on Saturday at Southeast Warren. The Eagles (13-10) pounded out 12 hits off three Melcher-Dallas pitchers. Lucas Erickson went 2-for-4 with four RBIs and was also the winning pitcher, combining with Landon Curtis on a … [Read more...] about Eagles roll past Melcher-Dallas, will play in Class 1A district semifinal on Tuesday
Jaguars snap brief two-game skid with doubleheader sweep at Sioux City North
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team stepped out of CIML Conference play on Saturday and swept a non-conference doubleheader at Sioux City North. The ninth-ranked Jaguars posted an 8-4 victory in the first game, then completed the sweep with a 13-3 win. They improved to 21-11 on the season, while North's record fell to 27-11. Centennial used a five-run … [Read more...] about Jaguars snap brief two-game skid with doubleheader sweep at Sioux City North