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Joe Balvanz

It’s a draw: No. 1 Ankeny, No. 2 Urbandale split season-opening doubleheader

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Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz challenged his team after the Hawks lost to visiting Urbandale, 4-1, in the first game of a season-opening doubleheader on Monday. The Hawks then responded with a 12-3 victory in the nightcap to earn a split. "I wanted our guys to have a better approach at the plate, and we were able to put some pressure on them with … [Read more...] about It’s a draw: No. 1 Ankeny, No. 2 Urbandale split season-opening doubleheader

Loaded Ankeny baseball team looking to take one more step in 2021

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When the Ankeny baseball team opens the season on Monday night by hosting a doubleheader against Urbandale, several major-league scouts are expected to be in attendance. They'll be watching the top two teams in Class 4A according to the Iowa Baseball Coaches Association's preseason rankings: Ankeny is No. 1 and Urbandale is No. 2. "This team is … [Read more...] about Loaded Ankeny baseball team looking to take one more step in 2021

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Dylan Schlee, Ankeny baseball

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Sophomore pitcher Dylan Schlee helped the Ankeny baseball team to a 21-9 record and a second-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament. Schlee compiled a 3-1 record with a 2.90 ERA in a team-high 10 appearances for the Hawks. He walked just three batters while recording 21 strikeouts in 29 innings of work. Schlee recorded the final two outs to earn … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Dylan Schlee, Ankeny baseball

‘We just didn’t execute’: Hawks let lead slip away in 4A championship game

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Weston Fulk couldn't help but think about the state title that slipped away. But he was also focusing on winning a championship in 2021. "We know where we could have been," Fulk said after his Ankeny baseball team lost to Johnston, 11-8, in the Class 4A final on Saturday at Principal Park. "We deserved to be in this game--everybody knows it. But I'm … [Read more...] about ‘We just didn’t execute’: Hawks let lead slip away in 4A championship game

Hawks settle for runner-up trophy after Johnston rallies for 11-8 victory

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The Ankeny baseball team was in a position to win the Class 4A state title on Saturday night at Principal Park. The Hawks just couldn't close the deal. Top-ranked Johnston overcame a 7-3 deficit with three runs in the fifth inning and five more in the sixth to rally for an 11-8 victory over No. 2 Ankeny. The Dragons (24-3) won their fifth state … [Read more...] about Hawks settle for runner-up trophy after Johnston rallies for 11-8 victory

Hawks outlast Dubuque Hempstead, will play Johnston for Class 4A crown

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Just a few months after the Ankeny boys' basketball team won the Class 4A state title, the school's baseball squad will have a chance to win a championship of its own. Second-ranked Ankeny advanced to the Class 4A title game with a wild 9-8 victory over No. 4 Dubuque Hempstead in the semifinals on Friday at Principal Park. Ryan Madole scored from third … [Read more...] about Hawks outlast Dubuque Hempstead, will play Johnston for Class 4A crown

STICKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK TO THE PLAN: Brecht fans 16 as Hawks advance

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Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz was tempted to pull his starting pitcher after the Hawks jumped out to a 4-0 lead against Pleasant Valley in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A state tournament on Wednesday night. Brody Brecht was even campaigning to come out of the game, because such a move would have allowed him to potentially return to the mound in … [Read more...] about STICKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK TO THE PLAN: Brecht fans 16 as Hawks advance

Hawks soar back to Principal Park, will face Pleasant Valley in 4A quarterfinals

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Mo Watson isn't taking this abbreviated baseball season for granted. The senior catcher hit an RBI single to ignite second-ranked Ankeny to a 5-0 victory over visiting Council Bluffs Lincoln in a Class 4A substate final on Wednesday. The Hawks (19-8) advanced to next week's state tournament for the second straight year. "It feels awesome," said Watson. … [Read more...] about Hawks soar back to Principal Park, will face Pleasant Valley in 4A quarterfinals

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Lucas Juhl, Ankeny baseball

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Senior third baseman Lucas Juhl is a member of the second-ranked Ankeny baseball team. He has helped the Hawks to an 18-8 record. Juhl has played in 23 of the 26 games with 15 starts. He will play for Simpson College next year. "Lucas always has a team-focused approach," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. "He knows that his role as a defensive specialist … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Lucas Juhl, Ankeny baseball

‘That was a big-time comeback’: 5-run 7th inning allows Hawks to salvage split

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The Ankeny baseball team appeared to be on its way to a doubleheader loss on Monday that would have stifled the Hawks' momentum heading into postseason play. Visiting Valley was three outs away from completing a sweep before second-ranked Ankeny rallied for five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to post a dramatic 7-6 victory. "That was a … [Read more...] about ‘That was a big-time comeback’: 5-run 7th inning allows Hawks to salvage split

Hawks take care of business, roll to pair of 5-inning victories at North

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Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz was hoping that his players could take care of business quickly on Friday. Mission accomplished. The third-ranked Hawks traveled to Des Moines North for an afternoon doubleheader and came away with a pair of five-inning victories, 14-0 and 14-1. They improved to 17-7 on the season, while the Polar Bears' record dropped … [Read more...] about Hawks take care of business, roll to pair of 5-inning victories at North

Dowling’s misfortune allows Hawks to earn No. 1 seed, bye into substate final

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The Ankeny baseball team will only have to win one game to qualify for this year's state tournament. However, the third-ranked Hawks will also have to overcome an eight-day layoff to earn a return trip to Principal Park. Ankeny (15-7) has been awarded the No. 1 seed in Class 4A Substate 8 after top-ranked Dowling Catholic was forced to cancel the rest … [Read more...] about Dowling’s misfortune allows Hawks to earn No. 1 seed, bye into substate final

Hawks build some momentum for postseason with sweep over S.E. Polk

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The Ankeny baseball players had several reasons to be motivated on Wednesday. For someone like Bryce Rinderknecht, it might have been his final opportunity to take the mound for the Hawks. He didn't want to let it go to waste. For others such as Brody Brecht, a chance for some revenge against Southeast Polk was a huge motivating factor. Brecht went … [Read more...] about Hawks build some momentum for postseason with sweep over S.E. Polk

No. 3 Hawks split with No. 1 Dowling in potential substate final preview

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(UPDATE: The rest of Dowling Catholic's season has been cancelled after one of its players tested positive for COVID-19.) Tuesday's baseball doubleheader at Dowling Catholic provided a unique opportunity for both the top-ranked Maroons and No. 3 Ankeny to get a glimpse of their potential opponent in a Class 4A substate final. Both squads have been … [Read more...] about No. 3 Hawks split with No. 1 Dowling in potential substate final preview

‘The guys played at a high level’: Ankeny sweeps Jaguars behind pitching gems

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The Ankeny baseball team brought all of its pitching arms to Principal Park on Wednesday. That spelled trouble for the Hawks' crosstown rival. Fifth-ranked Ankeny got a pair of pitching gems from Bryce Rinderknecht and Brody Brecht to sweep a doubleheader against No. 10 Ankeny Centennial, 4-1 and 2-1. The Hawks gained some much-needed revenge after … [Read more...] about ‘The guys played at a high level’: Ankeny sweeps Jaguars behind pitching gems

Hawks sweep rival at Principal Park; Centennial salvages split in softball

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Nobody had to remind Brody Brecht what happened last year when his Ankeny baseball team played crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial. Brecht allowed just two hits over six scoreless innings and had 13 strikeouts to lead the fifth-ranked Hawks past No. 10 Centennial, 2-1, in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader at Principal Park. Ankeny also won the … [Read more...] about Hawks sweep rival at Principal Park; Centennial salvages split in softball