The Ankeny Centennial baseball team just keeps rolling along. The top-ranked Jaguars remained unbeaten by sweeping a doubleheader on Wednesday at Ankeny. They posted a 3-0 victory in the nightcap after winning the opener, 4-1. Centennial improved to 8-0 in the CIML Conference and 13-0 overall. The Jaguars have won every game by at least three … [Read more...] about Alberhasky, Pratt toss back-to-back gems in Centennial’s sweep over Hawks
Joe Balvanz
Hawks top C.R. Xavier, will take 6-game winning streak into showdown vs. Jags
The Ankeny baseball team is heading into Wednesday's showdown against top-ranked Ankeny Centennial on a six-game winning streak. The Hawks posted a 5-1 victory in a non-conference game on Tuesday at Cedar Rapids Xavier, the No. 4 team in Class 3A. Both squads are now 9-6 on the season. "Xavier's a good team, and it's fun to go over there," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawks top C.R. Xavier, will take 6-game winning streak into showdown vs. Jags
With help from Meyer, Adamson hurls Hawks to 2-1 victory over Waukee NW
With four ranked opponents on the schedule over the next four days, the Ankeny baseball team needed to get the week off to a good start. The Hawks responded with a 2-1 victory over visiting Waukee Northwest on Monday to extend their winning streak to five games. The loss was the ninth in the last 10 games for the Wolves. "We played well enough to win, … [Read more...] about With help from Meyer, Adamson hurls Hawks to 2-1 victory over Waukee NW
Hawks complete sweep of No. 6 S.E. Polk with walk-off win in bottom of 11th inning
Evan Irlmeier raced home with the winning run on an error in the bottom of the 11th inning, and the Ankeny baseball team completed a sweep of Friday's doubleheader against sixth-ranked Southeast Polk with a 4-3 victory. The host Hawks overcame an early 4-0 deficit to win the opener, 10-4. They improved to 3-2 in the CIML Conference and 7-6 overall, while … [Read more...] about Hawks complete sweep of No. 6 S.E. Polk with walk-off win in bottom of 11th inning
Hawks use 6-run 1st inning to defeat Ankeny Christian Academy, 11-1
The Ankeny baseball team scored six runs in the first inning and went on to beat visiting Ankeny Christian Academy, 11-1, in six innings in a non-conference game on Wednesday. The Hawks pounded out 10 hits in the first three innings off ACA ace Eli Christensen. Only four of the eight runs that he allowed were earned. "I was impressed with his tempo, … [Read more...] about Hawks use 6-run 1st inning to defeat Ankeny Christian Academy, 11-1
After falling to North Polk, Ankeny routs Wildcats in 5 innings at Heggen Classic
The Ankeny baseball team rebounded from a 4-1 loss to North Polk with an 11-1 victory over Davenport North in five innings in the Tim Heggen Classic on Saturday at Ankeny. The Hawks pounded out eight hits in the win over Davenport North (2-5). They scored four runs in the first inning, two in the second, one in the third, one in the fourth and three more … [Read more...] about After falling to North Polk, Ankeny routs Wildcats in 5 innings at Heggen Classic
‘Win the game within the game’: Big inning helps Hawks split with Dowling
After watching his team suffer an 11-0 loss to seventh-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy on Saturday, Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz tried to simplify some things for the Hawks. That strategy resulted in a doubleheader split against No. 1 Dowling Catholic on Monday. "We've been breaking things down and just trying to win innings. Win the game within the … [Read more...] about ‘Win the game within the game’: Big inning helps Hawks split with Dowling
No. 7 C.R. Kennedy uses 10-run outburst in 1st inning to roll past Ankeny
A 10-run first inning helped the seventh-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy baseball team to an 11-0 victory at Ankeny in five innings on Saturday. The Cougars improved to 5-1 on the season. Ankeny dropped to 1-3. "It was a strange deal," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. "They just hit it where we weren't. They scored five runs before we got an … [Read more...] about No. 7 C.R. Kennedy uses 10-run outburst in 1st inning to roll past Ankeny
Bettendorf rallies from 8-2 deficit to earn walk-off win over Ankeny in 9 innings
The Ankeny baseball team's first road trip of the season resulted in a disappointing loss. The Hawks built an 8-2 lead before Bettendorf rallied for a 10-9 victory in nine innings on Thursday. The Bulldogs (3-0) scored three runs in the fifth and three more in the seventh to force extra innings, then walked it off in the ninth. "We played really well … [Read more...] about Bettendorf rallies from 8-2 deficit to earn walk-off win over Ankeny in 9 innings
Hawks earn split against No. 6 Pleasant Valley with 2-1 victory in nightcap
A season-opening split was just fine with Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz. The Hawks kicked off the 2023 season on Wednesday by splitting a non-conference twinbill against visiting Pleasant Valley, the No. 6 team in Class 4A. After dropping a 5-3 decision in the opener, Ankeny rebounded with a 2-1 win in the nightcap. The Spartans (2-1), who won the … [Read more...] about Hawks earn split against No. 6 Pleasant Valley with 2-1 victory in nightcap
Challenging new CIML awaits two-time defending league champion Hawks
A talented group of seniors will lead the way this season for the Ankeny baseball team. A trio of all-conference players--catcher Max Watson, pitcher Alex Griess and outfielder Ben Sandvig--is back for the Hawks, along with some other key returnees. "The practices have been great this spring," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. "Our seniors have done a … [Read more...] about Challenging new CIML awaits two-time defending league champion Hawks
Clevidence commits to Evansville baseball program as two-way player
Despite playing in only 17 games last season, Ankeny's Jack Clevidence still attracted the attention of college baseball coaches. The junior pitcher and infielder has verbally committed to play for the University of Evansville. He announced his decision on Twitter Monday. "I was talking to some other schools like Western Illinois, South Dakota State, … [Read more...] about Clevidence commits to Evansville baseball program as two-way player
Indianola’s fast start proves to be too much for Hawks to overcome in 8-5 loss
A rough start resulted in a season-ending loss for the Ankeny baseball team on Monday. Visiting Indianola jumped out to a 7-4 lead in the first two innings and went on to defeat the Hawks, 8-5, in a Class 4A substate semifinal. The Indians (25-12) advanced to Wednesday's substate final at 10th-ranked Urbandale (25-14). "They competed all night, and I … [Read more...] about Indianola’s fast start proves to be too much for Hawks to overcome in 8-5 loss
Hawks roll past East in substate opener, will host Indianola on Monday
Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz wanted his team to get off to a fast start. The Hawks did exactly that and then some. Ankeny scored six runs in the first inning, three more in the second and went on to defeat visiting Des Moines East, 13-3, in five innings in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Friday. "Those early runs took the pressure off," … [Read more...] about Hawks roll past East in substate opener, will host Indianola on Monday
Hawks close out regular season with 3-2 loss at Dallas Center-Grimes
The Ankeny baseball team could afford a loss on Wednesday. That won't be the case on Friday. The Hawks closed out the regular season with a 3-2 loss at Dallas Center-Grimes in a non-conference game. Their overall record dropped to 22-13. The Mustangs improved to 21-14 with their sixth straight victory. "We need to play better," said Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about Hawks close out regular season with 3-2 loss at Dallas Center-Grimes
A FLIP FOR JOY: Hawks rally past rival Centennial, clinch Iowa Conference title
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team was one out away from taking control of the CIML Iowa Conference race. Ankeny batter Carson Agan had other ideas. The junior third baseman blasted a three-run double to cap a four-run rally in the seventh inning, giving the visiting Hawks a 7-5 victory at fifth-ranked Centennial in the nightcap of Thursday's … [Read more...] about A FLIP FOR JOY: Hawks rally past rival Centennial, clinch Iowa Conference title
BOOM!: Hawks rout Fort Dodge twice, close in on repeat conference crown
The Ankeny baseball team is heading into Thursday's showdown at fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial on a roll. The Hawks routed visiting Fort Dodge twice in a CIML Iowa Conference doubleheader on Wednesday. They posted a 17-1 victory in four innings in the opener, then completed the sweep with an 11-1 triumph in five innings. Ankeny has scored 70 runs while … [Read more...] about BOOM!: Hawks rout Fort Dodge twice, close in on repeat conference crown
Hawks score 42 runs in twinbill sweep, take over Iowa Conference lead
The Ankeny baseball team moved into sole possession of first place in the CIML Iowa Conference with a convincing sweep over visiting Marshalltown on Monday. After posting a 14-5 win in the first game of the doubleheader, the Hawks romped to a 28-2 victory in four innings in the nightcap. They scored 11 runs in the first inning, seven in the second and 10 … [Read more...] about Hawks score 42 runs in twinbill sweep, take over Iowa Conference lead
Hawks likely headed for No. 2 seed in Substate 7 after going 1-1 on Saturday
Every win is critical for the Ankeny baseball team as the eighth-ranked Hawks battle No. 6 Urbandale for the top seed in Class 4A Substate 7. That's why Ankeny's 9-8 loss to North Scott in the Brent Prange Classic on Saturday could be damaging for the Hawks, who jumped out to an early 7-0 lead only to see it slip away. Ankeny is now 17-10 on the … [Read more...] about Hawks likely headed for No. 2 seed in Substate 7 after going 1-1 on Saturday
Hawks rout Ames in 5 innings before Little Cyclones win nightcap to earn split
After watching his team drop the second game of a doubleheader on Wednesday at Ames, Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz tried to look on the bright side. "I wanted two (wins) there tonight, but I will take a split and playing well against a good arm," Balvanz said. "Facing a kid like (Ben) Amador is only going to help us in the postseason." Amador … [Read more...] about Hawks rout Ames in 5 innings before Little Cyclones win nightcap to earn split