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
Joe Balvanz
Hawks top S.E. Polk, complete sweep of season series behind Halverson, Watson
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
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
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
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
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
Alberhasky, Pratt toss back-to-back gems in Centennial’s sweep over Hawks
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
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