One bad inning proved to be costly for the Ankeny Centennial softball team. Eighth-ranked Linn-Mar (Marion) erupted for seven runs in the sixth inning to defeat the No. 5 Jaguars, 9-4, in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday at Centennial. "We knew Linn-Mar was going to be a good team," said Centennial coach Brett Delaney. "They came out and swung the … [Read more...] about Linn-Mar erupts for 7 runs in 6th inning, denies Jaguars another trip to state
Lizzy Klunder
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 187
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm discusses a big week for the Ankeny Centennial softball team with head coach Brett Delaney and senior first baseman Lizzy Klunder. Coldwell Banker realtor Andy Logan also makes an appearance. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 187
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 146
Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz and junior catcher Tamden Webb-Tate preview next week's state baseball tournament in the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America. Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm also breaks down the state softball tournament with junior first baseman Lizzy Klunder and coach Brett Delaney of … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 146
‘We want that championship’: Jaguars advance to Class 5A final for first time
The Ankeny Centennial softball players got the rematch they wanted. The 10th-ranked Jaguars advanced to the Class 5A championship game with an 8-1 victory over No. 5 Pleasant Valley in the semifinals on Wednesday at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. Centennial (33-9) will play No. 2 Fort Dodge (37-4) for the title on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Jaguars … [Read more...] about ‘We want that championship’: Jaguars advance to Class 5A final for first time
Jaguars rally past Pleasant Valley, will play Fort Dodge for Class 5A crown
Ankeny Centennial first baseman Lizzy Klunder was in the right spot at the right time to get a souvenir from the state softball tournament on Wednesday. Klunder caught a pop fly for the final out of the game as the 10th-ranked Jaguars defeated No. 5 Pleasant Valley, 8-1, in the Class 5A semifinals at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. "I was running … [Read more...] about Jaguars rally past Pleasant Valley, will play Fort Dodge for Class 5A crown
Seniors lead the way as Jaguars pound Muscatine to end season in style
The seniors on the sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team were determined to go out in style. The outcome of Thursday's Class 5A consolation final against No. 8 Muscatine was never in doubt. Centennial scored in every inning and rolled to a 10-0 victory over the Muskies in five innings at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. The Jaguars (23-9) … [Read more...] about Seniors lead the way as Jaguars pound Muscatine to end season in style
‘We were not going to lose’: Jaguars roll past Muscatine to earn 3rd-place finish
The Ankeny Centennial softball team closed out the best season in school history with a third-place finish in the Class 5A state tournament. The sixth-ranked Jaguars rolled to a 10-0 victory over No. 8 Muscatine in five innings in the consolation final on Thursday at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. They finished with a 23-9 record, while Muscatine … [Read more...] about ‘We were not going to lose’: Jaguars roll past Muscatine to earn 3rd-place finish
‘No one can stop us’: Confident Jaguars ready for showdown against Waukee
Madi Huisman is hoping to spend most of the upcoming week in Fort Dodge. Huisman and her teammates on the Ankeny Centennial softball squad aren't satisfied with just making it to the Class 5A state tournament. They want to win a trophy, too. "We're definitely going to win the state championship," Huisman said. Huisman tossed an eight-hitter to … [Read more...] about ‘No one can stop us’: Confident Jaguars ready for showdown against Waukee
‘It’s the best feeling ever’: Jaguars earn trip to Fort Dodge, will play No. 4 Waukee
Ella Schulz watched from behind home plate as her teammate, second baseman Anna Christiansen, fielded a ground ball and threw to first for the final out of Tuesday's Class 5A regional final. The two juniors then raced toward each other and embraced as the Ankeny Centennial softball team advanced to the state tournament for the first time ever with a 10-5 … [Read more...] about ‘It’s the best feeling ever’: Jaguars earn trip to Fort Dodge, will play No. 4 Waukee
Jaguars outslug Urbandale, advance to state for first time in school history
Many of the Ankeny Centennial softball players have been dreaming of playing in the state tournament their whole lives. Lizzy Klunder thought she was dreaming again on Tuesday night. Klunder hit a two-run homer to break a 1-1 tie and later added an RBI single to lead the sixth-ranked Jaguars to a 10-5 victory over visiting CIML rival Urbandale in a … [Read more...] about Jaguars outslug Urbandale, advance to state for first time in school history