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Mark Hey

No. 1 Jaguars rout Gilbert in 6 innings to open season, will play at Rippey Friday

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The top-ranked Ankeny Centennial baseball team opened the season on Thursday with a 10-0 non-conference victory over visiting Gilbert in six innings.The Jaguars used a seven-run fourth inning to build a 9-0 lead and then walked off with the win in the sixth. "We got good pitching, really good defense, and we hit the ball at the right time," said … [Read more...] about No. 1 Jaguars rout Gilbert in 6 innings to open season, will play at Rippey Friday

As Oakie awaits MLB draft, No. 1 Jaguars appear to be primed for special season

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There's a lot of hype surrounding Joey Oakie and the Ankeny Centennial baseball team. Oakie, an Iowa recruit, is one of the top high school pitchers in the country and a probable first- or second-round pick in the upcoming MLB amateur draft, which is slated for July 14-16. It's possible, however, that Oakie could turn professional before the season … [Read more...] about As Oakie awaits MLB draft, No. 1 Jaguars appear to be primed for special season

‘I’m really humbled’: Centennial’s Hey to be inducted into IHSBCA Hall of Fame

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Ankeny Centennial baseball coach Mark Hey calls himself the luckiest coach alive. "The people and the athletes at both high schools in this community that I've been associated with, you couldn't ask for better people," Hey said. "To me, the recognition (that a coach gets) is for all the people that have influenced that coach and have been around that … [Read more...] about ‘I’m really humbled’: Centennial’s Hey to be inducted into IHSBCA Hall of Fame

‘We had some chances early’: Jaguars strand 8 runners in stunning loss to Ames

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Ankeny Centennial's magical season on the baseball diamond came to an end one week earlier than most people expected. The top-ranked Jaguars went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left eight runners on base in a stunning 5-1 loss to visiting Ames in a Class 4A substate final on Wednesday. "We had some chances early that we didn't capitalize … [Read more...] about ‘We had some chances early’: Jaguars strand 8 runners in stunning loss to Ames

Jaguars erupt for 22 runs, toss combined no-hitter in substate win over North

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The first game of the postseason can sometimes be the most stressful one. That won't be the case for the Ankeny Centennial baseball team. The top-ranked Jaguars pounded out 15 hits and rolled to a 22-0 victory over visiting Des Moines North in four innings in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Friday. "The guys are certainly very focused this time … [Read more...] about Jaguars erupt for 22 runs, toss combined no-hitter in substate win over North

Jaguars end slide with win over Riders, break school record with 29th victory

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The Ankeny Centennial baseball team needed a win on Wednesday for a couple of reasons. After losing back-to-back games for the first time this season, the top-ranked Jaguars needed to gain some momentum heading into postseason play. Coach Mark Hey's team also needed a win to set the school record for most victories in a season. The Jaguars responded … [Read more...] about Jaguars end slide with win over Riders, break school record with 29th victory

Loss at Waukee NW forces Jaguars to share conference crown with Johnston

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With the start of postseason play later this week, the Ankeny Centennial baseball team is still trying to rediscover its mojo. The top-ranked Jaguars dropped a 6-3 decision at Waukee Northwest in their CIML Conference finale on Monday. The loss, coupled with No. 3 Johnston's 7-3 victory at No. 5 Southeast Polk, allowed the Dragons to tie Centennial for … [Read more...] about Loss at Waukee NW forces Jaguars to share conference crown with Johnston

‘We just have to regroup’: Oakie exits early in Jaguars’ loss at Sioux City North

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The Ankeny Centennial baseball team entered Saturday's non-conference doubleheader at Sioux City North with a chance to break the school record for most victories in a season. The top-ranked Jaguars will now have to wait until at least Monday to set a new mark. After Centennial dropped a 4-1 decision in the opener of the twinbill, the Jaguars jumped … [Read more...] about ‘We just have to regroup’: Oakie exits early in Jaguars’ loss at Sioux City North

‘It was a great feeling’: Miller blasts two homers, leads Jaguars to win over rival

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Easton Miller was hoping that his final baseball game against crosstown rival Ankeny would be one to remember. He certainly made it so. The senior outfielder blasted the first two home runs of his high school career to lead top-ranked Ankeny Centennial to an 11-3 victory over the visiting Hawks on Wednesday. "It was a great feeling," said Miller. … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great feeling’: Miller blasts two homers, leads Jaguars to win over rival

‘That comeback was what we needed’: Jaguars rally past Johnston to earn split

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The Ankeny Centennial baseball team was on the verge of falling into second place in the CIML Conference. Down to their final out in the second game of a doubleheader at third-ranked Johnston, the No. 1 Jaguars rallied for five runs in the seventh inning and salvaged a split of Monday's twinbill with a dramatic 8-7 victory. They bounced back after … [Read more...] about ‘That comeback was what we needed’: Jaguars rally past Johnston to earn split

No. 1 Jaguars outlast Dowling Catholic twice, complete sweep of season series

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For the first time this season, the Ankeny Centennial baseball team was forced to battle deep into the late innings in both ends of a doubleheader on Monday. The top-ranked Jaguars went on to sweep No. 5 Dowling Catholic by scores of 2-1 and 5-1 on their home field, completing a sweep of the season series. They improved to 14-2 in the CIML Conference and … [Read more...] about No. 1 Jaguars outlast Dowling Catholic twice, complete sweep of season series

‘There’s a lot of games left’: No. 1 Jaguars split at Urbandale, stay in first place

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The race for the CIML Conference baseball championship is far from over. Top-ranked Ankeny Centennial romped to a 12-1 victory in six innings in the first game of a doubleheader on Thursday at Urbandale, but the J-Hawks rebounded with a 2-1 win in the nightcap. Centennial continues to lead the league standings with a 12-2 record, but No. 3 Johnston … [Read more...] about ‘There’s a lot of games left’: No. 1 Jaguars split at Urbandale, stay in first place

Even with Easton Miller out of the lineup, No. 1 Jaguars continue to roll past foes

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The Ankeny Centennial baseball team hasn't skipped a beat without its normal leadoff hitter. The top-ranked Jaguars rolled to a 13-2 victory over visiting Waukee in five innings on Wednesday. They played their third straight game without starting centerfielder Easton Miller, who left the opener of Monday's doubleheader against Waukee Northwest with a … [Read more...] about Even with Easton Miller out of the lineup, No. 1 Jaguars continue to roll past foes

No. 2 Jaguars rally past Independence, Davenport North to remain unbeaten

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For the first time this season, the Ankeny Centennial baseball team had to rally from behind in order to remain unbeaten. The second-ranked Jaguars overcame early deficits to defeat both Independence and Davenport North in the Tim Heggen Classic on Saturday at Ankeny. They raised their record to 8-0. "It was a long week," said Centennial coach Mark … [Read more...] about No. 2 Jaguars rally past Independence, Davenport North to remain unbeaten

OAKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKIE DOMINATES AGAIN: Pitcher fans 16 in Jaguars’ sweep

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Former Ankeny pitcher Brody Brecht is expected to be a high-round draft pick in the 2024 MLB amateur draft. Don't be surprised if Ankeny Centennial junior Joey Oakie joins the Iowa sophomore near the top of the draft. Oakie turned in another brilliant performance on Monday, allowing just one hit over the first six innings while recording 16 strikeouts … [Read more...] about OAKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKIE DOMINATES AGAIN: Pitcher fans 16 in Jaguars’ sweep

The Pratt & Glatt Show: Duo combines on 2-hitter with 6 K’s in Jaguars’ victory

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It took two trips to Gilbert for the Ankeny Centennial baseball team to post a 12-0 victory in five innings in a non-conference game last week. The second-ranked Jaguars built a 6-0 lead in the first two innings on Thursday before play was suspended due to rain. They returned 24 hours later to complete the game. "Gilbert's a good team," said Centennial … [Read more...] about The Pratt & Glatt Show: Duo combines on 2-hitter with 6 K’s in Jaguars’ victory

Oakie, Alberhasky combine on 2-hitter with 18 K’s in Jaguars’ 9-0 victory

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The hype surrounding the Ankeny Centennial baseball team appears to be justified--based on its season opener. Ranked second in Class 4A in the preseason rankings by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association, the Jaguars kicked off the 2023 campaign with a 9-0 victory over Webster City on Monday. The non-conference game was played at Walt Anderson … [Read more...] about Oakie, Alberhasky combine on 2-hitter with 18 K’s in Jaguars’ 9-0 victory

Murken returns to his baseball roots, helps build Rippey’s own Field of Dreams

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Mel Murken still has a deep love for the game of baseball. Anyone who attended Monday's season opener for the Ankeny Centennial baseball team could see that passion on full display. The second-ranked Jaguars posted a 9-0 victory over Webster City at Walt Anderson Field in Rippey, where Murken now lives in retirement. "It's an honor to play here," … [Read more...] about Murken returns to his baseball roots, helps build Rippey’s own Field of Dreams