With six teams in contention for the CIML Conference baseball title, every game in the second half of the season could be the one that ultimately decides the league champion. Two of the contenders collided on Thursday at Ankeny Centennial, where the eighth-ranked Jaguars were hoping to complete a sweep of the season series against No. 5 Johnston. But … [Read more...] about ‘They took advantage of our mistakes’: Dragons rally past Centennial boys, Morris
Mark Hey
Jaguars sweep No. 7 Valley, move into tie for first place atop CIML Conference
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team moved into a tie for first place in the CIML Conference by sweeping a doubleheader on Thursday at seventh-ranked Valley. The Jaguars held on for a 3-2 victory in the first game, then completed the sweep with a 5-4 win. The top six teams in the conference are now separated by just 1.5 games. Centennial and No. 8 … [Read more...] about Jaguars sweep No. 7 Valley, move into tie for first place atop CIML Conference
‘We fly under the radar, but we’re a good team’: Jags split with No. 2 Pleasant Valley
The second-ranked Pleasant Valley baseball team entered Wednesday's doubleheader at Ankeny Centennial as one of the state's hottest squads, riding a 10-game winning streak. But the Jaguars had won four consecutive games and six of their last seven, so they were confident as well. "There's no reason not to be confident with all the work we've put in," … [Read more...] about ‘We fly under the radar, but we’re a good team’: Jags split with No. 2 Pleasant Valley
‘This is just a real gritty team’: Jags sweep Dowling behind pair of complete games
Ankeny Centennial baseball coach Mark Hey hasn't had to make too many pitching changes in the first 15 games of the season. With one of the deepest pitching staffs in the state, the Jaguars have already thrown several complete games. They had two more on Monday from Elijah Starr and Colton Arndt in a doubleheader sweep over visiting Dowling … [Read more...] about ‘This is just a real gritty team’: Jags sweep Dowling behind pair of complete games
Jaguars rely on pitching, defense, timely hits to split with No. 7 Waukee NW
Over the last five games, the Ankeny Centennial baseball team has struggled to score some runs. Fortunately for the Jaguars, a combination of strong pitching performances, solid defense and a few timely hits has allowed them to go 2-3 during that stretch. On Thursday, ninth-ranked Centennial posted a 3-0 victory at No. 7 Waukee Northwest in the first … [Read more...] about Jaguars rely on pitching, defense, timely hits to split with No. 7 Waukee NW
‘I felt really comfortable on the mound’: Morris tosses gem as Jags salvage split
After dropping a second consecutive one-run game, the Ankeny Centennial baseball team needed an ace to take the mound for the nightcap of Wednesday's doubleheader against visiting Southeast Polk. The ninth-ranked Jaguars had just the right guy in Will Morris. The junior righthander tossed a two-hitter and had 12 strikeouts to lead Centennial to a 2-1 … [Read more...] about ‘I felt really comfortable on the mound’: Morris tosses gem as Jags salvage split
‘That’s what you live for’: Vos’ walk-off hit gives Ankeny boys 2-1 win over Jaguars
A clutch hit from senior Kinnick Vos finally ended a pitchers' duel at the Ankeny baseball field. Vos hit a walk-off single with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Hawks a 2-1 victory over crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial on Monday. "That was awesome," said Voss. "That's what you live for. That was a blast." Pinch-hitter Lennon … [Read more...] about ‘That’s what you live for’: Vos’ walk-off hit gives Ankeny boys 2-1 win over Jaguars
Severs, Starr, Morris hurl Jaguars to doubleheader sweep at No. 2 Johnston
It's never easy to win on the road against the Johnston baseball team. Sweeping a doubleheader against the Dragons on their home turf is almost impossible. But that's exactly what Ankeny Centennial did on Thursday, posting back-to-back wins of 6-1 and 6-3 against the most dominant program in Class 4A over the last decade. "Our guys played very … [Read more...] about Severs, Starr, Morris hurl Jaguars to doubleheader sweep at No. 2 Johnston
Jaguars’ late rally falls short as No. 4 Waukee holds on to remain unbeaten
A late rally by the Ankeny Centennial baseball team came up short in a 6-3 loss at fourth-ranked Waukee on Wednesday. Trailing 5-0, the Jaguars rallied for three runs in the top of the sixth inning and then had the tying runs in scoring position with one out, but Waukee pitcher Grant Sorensen worked his way out of the jam to preserve the win in the CIML … [Read more...] about Jaguars’ late rally falls short as No. 4 Waukee holds on to remain unbeaten
‘I really like this team’: Jaguars knock off No. 9 C.R. Kennedy behind Morris, Arndt
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team split a pair of games on Saturday in Cedar Rapids. The Jaguars bounced back from a 5-3 loss to Bettendorf with a 3-1 victory over ninth-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy. "I really like this team," said Centennial coach Mark Hey, whose squad is now 2-1 on the season. "They grind every day whether it's a game or … [Read more...] about ‘I really like this team’: Jaguars knock off No. 9 C.R. Kennedy behind Morris, Arndt
Jaguars romp to 12-2 victory over No. 3 Dallas Center-Grimes to open season
The wait was worth it for the Ankeny Centennial baseball team. The Jaguars, who had a doubleheader at Des Moines Roosevelt rained out on Monday, opened their season on Thursday with a 12-2 victory over visiting Dallas Center-Grimes. The non-conference game was halted after six innings due to the 10-run mercy rule. The Mustangs (1-2) are third in the … [Read more...] about Jaguars romp to 12-2 victory over No. 3 Dallas Center-Grimes to open season
‘I’m excited to see what these guys can do’: Jaguars boast 6 returning starters
Ankeny Centennial's Reed Anderson and Isaac Bruhl are planning to play football in college, but the duo didn't want to skip their final baseball season in order to focus on the gridiron. Anderson and Bruhl are among six returning starters for the Jaguars, who will open their season on Monday with a non-conference doubleheader at Des Moines … [Read more...] about ‘I’m excited to see what these guys can do’: Jaguars boast 6 returning starters
Stewart to play for Centennial coach Hey in IHSBCA All Star Series Aug. 1-3 in Pella
Senior Sean Stewart will get one final chance to play for Ankeny Centennial baseball coach Mark Hey. Stewart has been named to the Large Schools West team that will compete in the 2024 Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association All Star Series on Thursday through Saturday at Pella High School, which will host the event for the first time. Hey will … [Read more...] about Stewart to play for Centennial coach Hey in IHSBCA All Star Series Aug. 1-3 in Pella
‘They just played better and beat us’: Jags drop 2-0 decision to Baumler, Dowling
While Ankeny Centennial star Joey Oakie elected to turn pro after being selected in the MLB amateur draft, Dowling Catholic's Trever Baumler reportedly turned down some pretty good offers to finish out his high school career and to play college baseball at TCU. The Maroons benefited from that decision on Wednesday night. Baumler tossed a three-hitter … [Read more...] about ‘They just played better and beat us’: Jags drop 2-0 decision to Baumler, Dowling
‘I was ready to go’: Stewart tosses perfect game in Jaguars’ win over Marshalltown
Sean Stewart used a lot of first-pitch fastballs to get ahead of the Marshalltown hitters on Friday night. The strategy worked perfectly. The Ankeny Centennial senior tossed a five-inning perfect game and the fifth-ranked Jaguars rolled to a 10-0 victory in a Class 4A substate baseball quarterfinal at Centennial. "I just got ahead early and then … [Read more...] about ‘I was ready to go’: Stewart tosses perfect game in Jaguars’ win over Marshalltown
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 267
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm interviews coach Mark Hey and senior pitcher Joey Oakie of the Ankeny Centennial baseball team about the Jaguars' quest to qualify for the Class 4A state tournament and the upcoming MLB amateur draft. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 267
Morris, Rawlings hurl back-to-back gems as Jaguars sweep Urbandale, 4-1 and 1-0
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team might have the deepest pitching staff in the state. The fifth-ranked Jaguars showed off their tremendous depth on Monday as Will Morris and Tripp Rawlings tossed back-to-back complete games in a doubleheader sweep over visiting Urbandale. Morris threw a four-hitter and had nine strikeouts to lead Centennial to a 4-1 … [Read more...] about Morris, Rawlings hurl back-to-back gems as Jaguars sweep Urbandale, 4-1 and 1-0
Oakie leads Jaguars to sweep at Waukee NW, but Johnston captures CIML crown
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team entered Monday's doubleheader at Waukee Northwest needing a lot of help to stay alive in the CIML Conference race. The Jaguars didn't get it. While fifth-ranked Centennial swept the No. 8 Wolves, No. 4 Johnston also swept a twinbill at Southeast Polk to wrap up the outright league crown. The Dragons improved to 18-5 … [Read more...] about Oakie leads Jaguars to sweep at Waukee NW, but Johnston captures CIML crown
Doubleday Insurance Coach of the Month: Mark Hey, Ankeny Centennial baseball
The Jaguars sweep a doubleheader at Waukee Northwest behind another strong outing from standout pitcher Joey Oakie, who had one of his last opportunities to make a big impression before the upcoming MLB draft. … [Read more...] about Doubleday Insurance Coach of the Month: Mark Hey, Ankeny Centennial baseball
Jaguars jump out to early lead, but S.E. Polk rallies for 4-3 win on walk-off HBP
The Southeast Polk baseball team overcame an early 3-0 deficit to beat visiting Ankeny Centennial, 4-3, in a CIML Conference game on Thursday. The Rams avenged a doubleheader sweep on June 6 and helped fifth-ranked Johnston move closer to the conference title. No. 4 Centennial dropped to 12-7 in the league and 22-9 overall, while Southeast Polk raised its … [Read more...] about Jaguars jump out to early lead, but S.E. Polk rallies for 4-3 win on walk-off HBP