Ankeny Fanatic

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Joe Balvanz

Hawks use 3-run 7th inning to beat Waukee, but Warriors salvage split

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The Ankeny baseball team scored three runs in the seventh inning to post a 7-4 victory in the first game of a doubleheader on Wednesday at Waukee. The Warriors then followed with a 6-2 win in the nightcap to earn a split of the twinbill. They are now 2-1 in the CIML Conference and 4-2 overall, while Ankeny's records are 1-2 and 2-5. "We didn't play … [Read more...] about Hawks use 3-run 7th inning to beat Waukee, but Warriors salvage split

Dowling rallies to force extra innings, then erupts for 9-3 victory over Hawks

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The Ankeny baseball team appeared to be on the verge of a huge victory on Monday night. But sixth-ranked Dowling Catholic refused to go away quietly. The host Hawks scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth to break a 1-1 tie, but Dowling then answered with two in the seventh to force extra innings. The Maroons later erupted for six runs in the ninth … [Read more...] about Dowling rallies to force extra innings, then erupts for 9-3 victory over Hawks

‘It was just a day for us to grow’: Hawks take early lead, then fall to C.R. Kennedy

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The Ankeny baseball team got off to a good start in Saturday's non-conference game at Cedar Rapids Kennedy. Unfortunately, the fifth-ranked Cougars responded. Kennedy erased an early 4-0 deficit to post a 13-8 victory. The Cougars improved to 6-0 on the season, while Ankeny's record dropped to 1-3. "We gave up two three-run bombs, and that was tough … [Read more...] about ‘It was just a day for us to grow’: Hawks take early lead, then fall to C.R. Kennedy

‘The wheels kind of fell off’: Bettendorf defeats Hawks with 7-run 7th inning

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Visiting Bettendorf erupted for seven runs in the seventh inning and defeated the Ankeny baseball team, 11-5, in a non-conference game on Thursday. It was the home opener for the Hawks, who dropped to 1-2 on the season. "The wheels kind of fell off at the end," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. "It took us 74 pitches to get through the sixth and seventh … [Read more...] about ‘The wheels kind of fell off’: Bettendorf defeats Hawks with 7-run 7th inning

‘They played their hearts out’: Hawks’ late rally earns twinbill split at Pleasant Valley

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A dramatic rally allowed the Ankeny baseball team to earn a season-opening split of a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday at Pleasant Valley. The Hawks rallied for five runs in the seventh inning of the nightcap to erase a 7-2 deficit, then got a sacrifice fly from Jack Clevidence in the eighth to post an 8-7 victory. "It wasn't the prettiest … [Read more...] about ‘They played their hearts out’: Hawks’ late rally earns twinbill split at Pleasant Valley

‘This group has been dedicated’: Ankeny baseball team boasts high hopes

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A year ago, the Ankeny baseball team came up one victory shy of qualifying for the Class 4A state tournament. Coach Joe Balvanz and the Hawks are hoping to clear that hurdle this season. "The practices have been going great," said Balvanz. "The players are working hard every day to improve their skill set and baseball IQ. This group has … [Read more...] about ‘This group has been dedicated’: Ankeny baseball team boasts high hopes

‘It was a special night for Dowling’: Marso, Maroons top Ankeny in substate final

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Due to heavy rains overnight, the Dowling Catholic baseball team lost its home-field advantage against Ankeny in a Class 4A substate final on Wednesday. The game was moved to a neutral site at Simpson College in Indianola, but the Maroons felt right at home on the infield turf. Seventh-ranked Dowling got a masterful pitching performance from Kaden … [Read more...] about ‘It was a special night for Dowling’: Marso, Maroons top Ankeny in substate final

DOUBLE TROUBLE: Griess, Sandvig lead Hawks to substate rout over Ottumwa

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It didn't take long for Alex Griess and Ben Sandvig to set the tone Monday for the Ankeny baseball team. Griess quickly retired the first three batters of the game, Sandvig then hit the first of his three doubles to ignite a seven-run outburst in the bottom of the first, and the Hawks went on to beat visiting Ottumwa, 13-0, in five innings in a Class 4A … [Read more...] about DOUBLE TROUBLE: Griess, Sandvig lead Hawks to substate rout over Ottumwa

Hawks oust Norwalk behind Adamson’s four-hitter, will host Ottumwa Monday

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On three occasions during the regular season, the Ankeny baseball team got a win from senior lefthander Brock Adamson to bounce back from a loss. Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz handed the ball to Adamson on Friday after the Hawks closed out the regular season with back-to-back losses earlier this week. Adamson responded with another gem, tossing a … [Read more...] about Hawks oust Norwalk behind Adamson’s four-hitter, will host Ottumwa Monday

Hawks close out regular season with 6-3 loss to No. 8 Dallas Center-Grimes

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After closing out the regular season on Wednesday against the champions of the Little Hawkeye Conference, the Ankeny baseball team will now prepare for another opponent from the eight-team league. The Hawks, who dropped a 6-3 decision to eighth-ranked Dallas Center-Grimes on their home field, will host Norwalk in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Friday … [Read more...] about Hawks close out regular season with 6-3 loss to No. 8 Dallas Center-Grimes

‘We let it slip away’: Hawks fall to Valley after giving up 7 runs in 7th inning

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The good thing about Monday's collapse by the Ankeny baseball team was that it didn't happen four nights later. The Hawks held a 5-2 lead against visiting Valley before the Tigers erupted for seven runs in the seventh inning to post a 9-5 victory in the CIML Conference finale for both teams. "We kind of had a two-out nightmare there in the last … [Read more...] about ‘We let it slip away’: Hawks fall to Valley after giving up 7 runs in 7th inning

‘It was a great feeling’: Miller blasts two homers, leads Jaguars to win over rival

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Easton Miller was hoping that his final baseball game against crosstown rival Ankeny would be one to remember. He certainly made it so. The senior outfielder blasted the first two home runs of his high school career to lead top-ranked Ankeny Centennial to an 11-3 victory over the visiting Hawks on Wednesday. "It was a great feeling," said Miller. … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great feeling’: Miller blasts two homers, leads Jaguars to win over rival

No. 10 Hawks rout Waukee NW in 5 innings before Wolves salvage a split

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After moving into the No. 10 spot in the latest Class 4A rankings, the Ankeny baseball team extended its winning streak to five games with an 18-2 victory in five innings in the opener of a CIML Conference doubleheader on Monday at Waukee Northwest. The Hawks scored seven runs in both the third and fifth innings. They pounded out 19 hits off three … [Read more...] about No. 10 Hawks rout Waukee NW in 5 innings before Wolves salvage a split

Hawks pound Carlisle, then beat Sioux City East to move back above .500 mark

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The Ankeny baseball team moved back above the .500 mark with a pair of victories in the Brent Prange Classic on Saturday. The Hawks rolled to an 11-1 win over Carlisle in five innings, then followed with a 3-1 triumph over Sioux City East. They extended their winning streak to four games while improving to 16-15 on the season. "Every win is important … [Read more...] about Hawks pound Carlisle, then beat Sioux City East to move back above .500 mark

Hawks top S.E. Polk, complete sweep of season series behind Halverson, Watson

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When the Class 4A substate baseball pairings are announced next week, fourth-ranked Southeast Polk will be among the CIML Conference teams that could earn a No. 1 seed. But even if that happens, the Rams likely won't want to see Ankeny in their bracket. The Hawks got a brilliant pitching performance from sophomore Zach Halverson and posted a 5-1 … [Read more...] about Hawks top S.E. Polk, complete sweep of season series behind Halverson, Watson

Sandvig sets school record for HBPs, helps Hawks earn split at Linn-Mar

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Senior Ben Sandvig is more than willing to wear a pitch for the Ankeny baseball team. Sandvig was hit by a pair of pitches and scored two runs to help the Hawks to a 5-3 victory at Linn-Mar (Marion) in the second game of a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday. He has now been plunked 17 times this season, breaking the school record of 15 that was … [Read more...] about Sandvig sets school record for HBPs, helps Hawks earn split at Linn-Mar

Gerstel closes out Hawks’ victory over Waukee in first game of twinbill split

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At the end of another long week, the Ankeny baseball team needed somebody to eat some innings on the mound. Travis Gerstel answered the call. The sophomore righthander made his varsity debut on Thursday, tossing three scoreless innings to close out the Hawks' 6-3 victory over visiting Waukee in the first game of a doubleheader. "Warming up in the … [Read more...] about Gerstel closes out Hawks’ victory over Waukee in first game of twinbill split

No. 7 Dowling Catholic scores in bottom of 7th inning, posts 5-4 win over Hawks

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The seventh-ranked Dowling Catholic baseball team extended its winning streak to seven games with a walk-off win against visiting Ankeny on Wednesday. The Maroons scored the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to post a 5-4 victory. They improved to 7-5 in the CIML Conference and 16-5 overall, while Ankeny's records dropped to … [Read more...] about No. 7 Dowling Catholic scores in bottom of 7th inning, posts 5-4 win over Hawks

Griess responds to challenge, hurls 4-hit shutout to give Hawks split at Valley

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After dropping a 7-4 decision at Valley in the first game of a doubleheader on Monday, the Ankeny baseball team needed somebody to step up in order to end the Hawks' four-game losing streak. Senior pitcher Alex Griess did just that. The righthander tossed a four-hitter and had six strikeouts to lead Ankeny to a 3-0 victory in the second game of the … [Read more...] about Griess responds to challenge, hurls 4-hit shutout to give Hawks split at Valley