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Mackenzie James

Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 227

August 4, 2023 by Dan Holm

In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm recaps the state softball tournament with seniors Larissa Miller of Ankeny and Mackenzie James of Ankeny Centennial. Coldwell Banker realtor Alex Meeker also makes an appearance. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 227

‘This is so well-deserved’: Dominant Jaguars romp to Class 5A softball crown

July 21, 2023 by Dan Holm

It was a moment that Mariah Belzer will never forget. Ankeny Centennial's senior shortstop caught a line drive off the bat of Pleasant Valley's Ashley Hansen for the final out of Thursday's Class 5A state championship softball game, securing the Jaguars' first title in school history. "She's a slapper, and she hit it that way the last time," Belzer … [Read more...] about ‘This is so well-deserved’: Dominant Jaguars romp to Class 5A softball crown

PRETTY IN PINK: Jaguars dye their hair, then roll to 7-1 victory over Bettendorf

July 18, 2023 by Dan Holm

The nerves eventually went away for Lauren Gustofson and the Ankeny Centennial softball team. Perhaps the pink hair might have helped. Gustofson, a senior pitcher, got out of some early jams and the top-ranked Jaguars went on to beat No. 8 Bettendorf, 7-1, in the Class 5A quarterfinals on Monday at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. "I was pretty … [Read more...] about PRETTY IN PINK: Jaguars dye their hair, then roll to 7-1 victory over Bettendorf

Jaguars tie school record for victories, head to 5A state tourney as No. 1 seed

July 12, 2023 by Dan Holm

The Ankeny Centennial softball team is headed back to Fort Dodge for the third time in four years. The top-ranked Jaguars advanced to the Class 5A state tournament with a 10-1 victory over visiting Ames in a regional final on Tuesday. The win allowed Centennial (33-5) to tie the school record for most victories in a season. "I'm very excited for this … [Read more...] about Jaguars tie school record for victories, head to 5A state tourney as No. 1 seed

‘This was good redemption’: Starr’s first career homer punctuates Jaguars’ win

July 9, 2023 by Dan Holm

Ankeny Centennial's Addi Starr didn't see the ball go over the fence. But she heard the reaction from her teammates. Starr hit the first home run of her high school softball career to punctuate the top-ranked Jaguars' 7-2 victory over visiting Des Moines East in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday. "I was just running hard up until second … [Read more...] about ‘This was good redemption’: Starr’s first career homer punctuates Jaguars’ win

Centennial girls rally past Interstate 35 for 6-5 victory on their Senior Night

June 29, 2023 by Dan Holm

A four-run rally in the fifth inning allowed the Ankeny Centennial softball team to defeat visiting Interstate 35 (Truro), 6-5, in a non-conference game on Wednesday. It was Senior Night for the top-ranked Jaguars, who improved to 27-4 on the season. Interstate 35, the No. 5 team in Class 2A, dropped to 19-12. "It would have been disappointing (to … [Read more...] about Centennial girls rally past Interstate 35 for 6-5 victory on their Senior Night

James blasts two homers as Jaguars rebound from loss with pair of victories

June 24, 2023 by Dan Holm

The Ankeny Centennial softball players were unhappy with the way Wednesday's doubleheader against visiting Valley ended. After committing five errors and dropping a 9-3 decision in the second game for their first loss in CIML Conference play, the top-ranked Jaguars rebounded on Friday with a pair of victories over Class 3A ranked opponents at the Brent … [Read more...] about James blasts two homers as Jaguars rebound from loss with pair of victories

Jaguars move closer to CIML Conference crown after splitting twinbill with Valley

June 22, 2023 by Dan Holm

Despite suffering its first loss in CIML Conference play, the Ankeny Centennial softball team moved closer to the league crown on Wednesday. The top-ranked Jaguars rolled to a 13-3 victory over No. 7 Valley in six innings before the visiting Tigers salvaged a split of the doubleheader with a 9-3 triumph in the nightcap. "We've been working really hard … [Read more...] about Jaguars move closer to CIML Conference crown after splitting twinbill with Valley

Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Mackenzie James, Centennial senior

June 22, 2023 by Dan Holm

The centerfielder helps the top-ranked Jaguars move closer to the CIML Conference softball title with a 13-3 win over Valley in 6 innings in the first game of a doubleheader. … [Read more...] about Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Mackenzie James, Centennial senior

‘Our bats have been good lately’: James, Jaguars romp to 10-0 win at Dowling

May 31, 2023 by Dan Holm

Senior outfielder Mackenzie James has played on some outstanding softball teams at Ankeny Centennial, including one that placed third in the Class 5A state tournament in 2020 and another that earned runner-up honors the following season. This year's team might be as talented as either of those squads. James went 2-for-3 and drove in three runs to lead … [Read more...] about ‘Our bats have been good lately’: James, Jaguars romp to 10-0 win at Dowling

Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 191

July 20, 2022 by Dan Holm

In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm interviews softball standouts Mackenzie James of Ankeny Centennial and Mariah Parton of Ankeny. Coldwell Banker realtor Andy Logan also makes an appearance. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 191

Suarez’s walk-off blast gives Jaguars sweep of season series against Ankeny

July 1, 2022 by Dan Holm

When Ankeny Centennial's Claire Suarez stepped to the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning on Thursday, she was looking to start a game-winning rally. The junior second baseman did a lot more than that. Suarez connected on a two-ball, one-strike pitch for a leadoff homer to left-center field, allowing the sixth-ranked Centennial softball team to … [Read more...] about Suarez’s walk-off blast gives Jaguars sweep of season series against Ankeny

Centennial’s James verbally commits to play softball at Simpson College

March 25, 2022 by Dan Holm

Ankeny Centennial softball player Mackenzie James didn't have to wait any longer to make her college plans. The junior outfielder verbally committed on Friday to play for Simpson College, beginning in the fall of 2023. "The decision was pretty easy for me," said James. "Simpson was the first school I visited and instantly I felt at home. The softball … [Read more...] about Centennial’s James verbally commits to play softball at Simpson College

‘We still got second, and that’s good’: Jaguars settle for runner-up trophy

July 24, 2021 by Dan Holm

Anna Christiansen vowed that the Ankeny Centennial softball team would be back to Harlan Rogers Park. "I'm extremely proud of this team, and these underclassmen are going to take this program places," Christiansen said after Friday night's Class 5A championship game at Fort Dodge. "This program is unlike any other in the state, and I'm extremely confident … [Read more...] about ‘We still got second, and that’s good’: Jaguars settle for runner-up trophy

Monumental challenge awaits Centennial girls in Class 5A semifinals

July 29, 2020 by Dan Holm

A thrilling win over fourth-ranked Waukee provided the Ankeny Centennial softball team with an opportunity to pull off an even bigger upset. The No. 6 Jaguars (22-8) will now meet No. 1 Fort Dodge (27-3) in the semifinals of the Class 5A state tournament on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. The game will be played on the Dodgers' home field at Harlan Rogers Park in … [Read more...] about Monumental challenge awaits Centennial girls in Class 5A semifinals

VIDEO: Jaguars make thrilling state tournament debut

July 28, 2020 by Dan Holm

… [Read more...] about VIDEO: Jaguars make thrilling state tournament debut

‘It was just a matter of when’: Centennial erupts for dramatic win over Waukee

July 28, 2020 by Dan Holm

Ankeny Centennial runner Mackenzie James watched from third base as her teammate, Franie Burnett, swung and missed at a third strike during Monday's Class 5A quarterfinal against Waukee. Then James noticed the ball skip past Waukee catcher Natalie Wellet. The freshman raced home with the go-ahead run in the seventh inning and the sixth-ranked Jaguars … [Read more...] about ‘It was just a matter of when’: Centennial erupts for dramatic win over Waukee

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