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Joe Balvanz

No. 2 Dragons edge Davies, Ankeny to win pitchers’ duel in CIML Conference opener

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The Ankeny baseball team took a big step forward on Wednesday. The Hawks opened CIML Conference play with a 3-1 loss to visiting Johnston, the No. 2 team in Class 4A. The Dragons (5-1) scored the go-ahead runs in the sixth inning. "It was a very well-played high school baseball game," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz, whose team dropped to 0-5 on the … [Read more...] about No. 2 Dragons edge Davies, Ankeny to win pitchers’ duel in CIML Conference opener

‘We’ve played some good teams’: City High, C.R. Kennedy extend Hawks’ skid

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The slow start has continued for the Ankeny baseball team. After dropping both games of a doubleheader against fifth-ranked Pleasant Valley on Thursday, the Hawks traveled to Cedar Rapids on Saturday to face two more ranked opponents. Ankeny dropped an 8-1 decision to Iowa City High, the No. 1 team in the preseason rankings. The Hawks then fell to 0-4 … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve played some good teams’: City High, C.R. Kennedy extend Hawks’ skid

‘Tip of the cap to Pleasant Valley’: No. 5 Spartans sweep doubleheader at Ankeny

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The 2025 baseball season hasn’t gotten off to the most ideal start for the Ankeny Hawks. After having two different delays earlier in the week, the Hawks officially opened the year with an 0-2 record after falling 13-0 and 5-0 in a doubleheader against visiting Pleasant Valley on Thursday. The Spartans are No. 5 in the Class … [Read more...] about ‘Tip of the cap to Pleasant Valley’: No. 5 Spartans sweep doubleheader at Ankeny

‘This team has a chance to be really good’: Hawks enter 2025 with high expectations

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There is no shortage of experience on this year's Ankeny baseball team. The Hawks return five players who started at least 10 games a year ago, including junior Will Davies, who made 11 of his 32 starts on the mound. Two other pitchers who combined for 15 starts are also back. "The practices have been tremendously competitive," said Ankeny coach Joe … [Read more...] about ‘This team has a chance to be really good’: Hawks enter 2025 with high expectations

‘It just wasn’t our night’: Hawks close out season with 8-1 loss at Sioux City East

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Sioux City's East Jax Theeler homered on the first pitch in the bottom of the first inning and the Black Raiders went on to beat visiting Ankeny, 8-1, in a Class 4A substate baseball semifinal on Monday. Sioux City East (26-13) advanced to Wednesday's substate final at second-ranked Dallas Center-Grimes (34-3). The Hawks finished the season at … [Read more...] about ‘It just wasn’t our night’: Hawks close out season with 8-1 loss at Sioux City East

ROAD WARRIORS: Hawks top C.B. Lincoln, will head to Sioux City East on Monday

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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

Clevidence leads Hawks to 15-5 victory at Fort Dodge in regular-season finale

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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

Hawks fall to Dallas Center-Grimes in potential preview of 4A substate final

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The Ankeny baseball team dropped a 4-3 decision at second-ranked Dallas Center-Grimes in a non-conference game on Wednesday. The Hawks took a 3-1 lead in the second inning before Dallas Center-Grimes scored one run in the fifth and two more in the sixth to earn its fifth straight victory. The Mustangs improved to 32-2 on the season, while Ankeny's record … [Read more...] about Hawks fall to Dallas Center-Grimes in potential preview of 4A substate final

Clevidence, Gerstel toss complete games to lead Hawks to sweep over Valley

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The Ankeny baseball team might be getting hot at the right time. The Hawks swept a home doubleheader on Monday for the first time this season, posting 6-1 and 5-3 victories over Valley. They also extended their winning streak to a season-high four games. The CIML Conference rivals could potentially meet again in a Class 4A substate semifinal in two … [Read more...] about Clevidence, Gerstel toss complete games to lead Hawks to sweep over Valley

Hawks rally twice to beat Urbandale on Senior Night, raise their record to 15-21

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Jack Clevidence, Henry Ha and Carson Riggs each had two hits on Senior Night to lead the Ankeny baseball team to a 6-5 victory over visiting Urbandale on Thursday. Another senior, Nick Meyer, got the start on the mound and combined with Brady Carter on a six-hitter. "We pulled it out," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. "It wasn't the prettiest of games, … [Read more...] about Hawks rally twice to beat Urbandale on Senior Night, raise their record to 15-21

Hawks salvage split against Centennial, putting dent in Jaguars’ CIML title hopes

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The Ankeny Centennial baseball team needed to sweep its crosstown rival on Wednesday to keep pace in the CIML Conference race. But visiting Ankeny spoiled the Jaguars' plans. The Hawks posted a 7-5 victory in the second game of a doubleheader after fourth-ranked Centennial won the opener by the same score. The win allowed Ankeny to salvage a split of … [Read more...] about Hawks salvage split against Centennial, putting dent in Jaguars’ CIML title hopes

‘It was fun competing against them’: Hawks outlast ACA in crosstown battle

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After dropping a 12-4 decision to Sioux City Heelan in the Brent Prange Classic on Saturday, the Ankeny baseball team rebounded with a 4-2 victory over Ankeny Christian Academy in a crosstown battle. Jack Clevidence scored the tying run in the sixth inning and later drove in an insurance run for the Hawks, who improved to 13-19 on the season. He went … [Read more...] about ‘It was fun competing against them’: Hawks outlast ACA in crosstown battle

‘It’s hard to win over there’: Hawks salvage split at No. 4 Johnston with 8-7 victory

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This year's edition of the Ankeny baseball team isn't the most talented squad that Joe Balvanz has coached during his tenure with the Hawks. But it might be one of the grittiest. Ankeny bounced back from a 15-11 loss at fourth-ranked Johnston on Monday with an 8-7 victory in the second game of a doubleheader. The Hawks snapped their three-game losing … [Read more...] about ‘It’s hard to win over there’: Hawks salvage split at No. 4 Johnston with 8-7 victory

‘They can play that way all the time’: Hawks erupt for 24 runs, sweep Dowling

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Wednesday's doubleheader at 10th-ranked Dowling Catholic might have been a turning point for the Ankeny baseball team. The Hawks used a seven-run eighth inning to post a 12-5 victory in the first game, then erupted for 11 runs in the first inning of the nightcap and went on to complete a sweep with a 12-2 win in five innings. "I hope it's a confidence … [Read more...] about ‘They can play that way all the time’: Hawks erupt for 24 runs, sweep Dowling

Hawks drop 3-2 decision at Valley despite quality start, 3 hits from Clevidence

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The Ankeny baseball team got a quality start from senior righthander Jack Clevidence, but it wasn't enough to produce a victory on Monday at Valley. After the Hawks took a 2-0 lead in the third inning, Valley answered with three runs in the fourth and then held on for a 3-2 win to snap a six-game losing streak. The Tigers improved to 2-7 in the CIML … [Read more...] about Hawks drop 3-2 decision at Valley despite quality start, 3 hits from Clevidence

Hawks erupt for season-high 16 runs in five-inning victory over Davenport West

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The Ankeny baseball team bounced back from a 7-5 loss to Davenport Central with a 16-1 victory over Davenport West in five innings on Saturday at Davenport. The Hawks are now 7-13 on the season after splitting the non-conference games. "I was glad to come back with a win, but I was certainly hoping for two," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. Ankeny had … [Read more...] about Hawks erupt for season-high 16 runs in five-inning victory over Davenport West

Hawks rally from 10-0 deficit to beat Urbandale, snap 6-game losing streak

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Desperate for a win, the Ankeny baseball team refused to quit. Trailing 10-0 in the second game of a doubleheader on Thursday at Urbandale, the Hawks were three outs away from a run-rule loss that would have stretched their losing streak to seven games. Ankeny extended the contest by scoring three runs in the fifth inning and added five more in the … [Read more...] about Hawks rally from 10-0 deficit to beat Urbandale, snap 6-game losing streak

‘Our team responded pretty well’: Jags overcome rain delay to edge Ankeny, 4-3

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The surging Ankeny Centennial baseball team continued its winning ways on Wednesday. The Jaguars' latest victory came at the expense of their crosstown rival. Sean Stewart and Colton Arndt combined on a seven-hitter as the fourth-ranked Jaguars posted a 4-3 win at Ankeny in a CIML Conference game that was briefly delayed by rain in the fourth … [Read more...] about ‘Our team responded pretty well’: Jags overcome rain delay to edge Ankeny, 4-3

‘We’re just not scoring enough runs’: Hawks struggle at plate, fall twice to NW

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It's too early for the Ankeny baseball team to panic. The Hawks just need to get their bats going. Ankeny dropped both ends of a CIML Conference doubleheader against visiting Waukee Northwest on Monday. The ninth-ranked Wolves posted a 6-2 victory in the opener before completing the sweep with a 4-1 win. "I didn't think either of their starters was … [Read more...] about ‘We’re just not scoring enough runs’: Hawks struggle at plate, fall twice to NW