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
Madi Huisman
‘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
No. 6 Jaguars celebrate Senior Night sweep with tears of joy–and sadness
There were tears of joy on Friday night at the Ankeny Centennial softball field. Tears of sadness flowed, too. The sixth-ranked Jaguars celebrated their Senior Night with a doubleheader sweep over visiting Ames. They posted a 4-3 victory in eight innings in the opener, then completed the sweep with a 10-3 triumph. Afterwards, the team's six seniors … [Read more...] about No. 6 Jaguars celebrate Senior Night sweep with tears of joy–and sadness
Jaguars outlast Johnston in 8 innings before Dragons earn split of twinbill
If Monday's CIML softball doubleheader at Johnston had been a boxing match, the judges likely would have ruled the outcome a draw. Tenth-ranked Ankeny Centennial won the first game, 3-1, in eight innings before the No. 3 Dragons salvaged a split of the twinbill with a 5-1 victory in the nightcap. The Jaguars are now 7-1 on the season, while Johnston … [Read more...] about Jaguars outlast Johnston in 8 innings before Dragons earn split of twinbill
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Madi Huisman, Ankeny Centennial softball
Senior pitcher Madi Huisman has helped the 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team to a 6-0 record this season. She tossed a no-hitter Friday as the Jaguars defeated Marshalltown, 10-0, in five innings in the first game of a doubleheader. Huisman has compiled a 3-0 mark with a 1.50 ERA. Opposing hitters are batting just .091 against her. Here is … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Madi Huisman, Ankeny Centennial softball
Jaguars may need to rely on deep pitching staff down the stretch
It's a good thing that the Ankeny Centennial softball team has several dependable pitchers. The Jaguars may need them all down the stretch. Haley Gatica, the team's No.1 pitcher, is battling a wrist injury. She took the loss in the first game of Monday's doubleheader at Southeast Polk. Gatica (9-5) allowed four hits in five innings as the Jaguars … [Read more...] about Jaguars may need to rely on deep pitching staff down the stretch
Jaguars top Norwalk twice, earn 3rd-place finish in Elite Eight tournament
The Ankeny Centennial softball team defeated Norwalk for the second time in two days, 6-1, to earn a third-place finish in the Barney Dennis Elite Eight tournament on Saturday at Johnston. Taylor Runchey drove in four runs as the Jaguars improved their record to 12-10. Ella Schulz and Cassi Garland each went 2-for-3 in the win. "Norwalk pitched their … [Read more...] about Jaguars top Norwalk twice, earn 3rd-place finish in Elite Eight tournament
Centennial softball team blanked twice at No. 9 Johnston
Two steps forward, two steps back. After sweeping a doubleheader against then-No. 4 Waukee on Wednesday, the Ankeny Centennial softball team struggled on Thursday at ninth-ranked Johnston, dropping both ends of a non-conference twinbill without scoring a run. The Dragons posted a 6-0 victory in the opener, then won the nightcap in five innings, 11-0, … [Read more...] about Centennial softball team blanked twice at No. 9 Johnston
Schulz hits walk-off single to complete Jaguars’ sweep over Ames
If there's any pressure on Ella Schulz, the Ankeny Centennial freshman doesn't seem to feel it. Schulz has been batting third for the Jaguars' softball team most of the season, putting her in a position where she's expected to produce some runs. On Tuesday, she did exactly that with a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning, giving … [Read more...] about Schulz hits walk-off single to complete Jaguars’ sweep over Ames