The Ankeny Centennial baseball team tried to keep its season alive with a dramatic seventh-inning rally. Trailing 5-2 against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt in a Class 4A substate semifinal on Monday, the eighth-ranked Jaguars loaded the bases with one out against Roughriders reliever Will Armstrong. "I was so proud of our guys," said Centennial coach … [Read more...] about ‘I love those guys with all my heart’: Centennial seniors bow out with 5-3 loss
Mark Hey
Morris mows down Ottumwa; Jaguars will host semifinal against Roosevelt next
It took only two batters for the Ottumwa baseball team to jump out to an early lead in Friday's Class 4A substate game at Ankeny Centennial. If the Bulldogs thought they had solved Centennial pitcher Trey Morris, they were wrong. Morris recovered after a shaky start and tossed a three-hitter to lead the eighth-ranked Jaguars to a 5-1 victory. He racked … [Read more...] about Morris mows down Ottumwa; Jaguars will host semifinal against Roosevelt next
‘Exactly what I needed’: Morris tunes up for postseason with 1-hitter against Ames
A 60-pitch tuneup was just what Ankeny Centennial senior Trey Morris needed to get ready for the postseason. Morris tossed a one-hitter and had five strikeouts to lead the 10th-ranked Jaguars to a 10-0 victory over visiting Ames in five innings in the first game of a CIML baseball doubleheader on Friday. He also went 2-for-2 at the plate and drove in two … [Read more...] about ‘Exactly what I needed’: Morris tunes up for postseason with 1-hitter against Ames
Jaguars fall to .500 mark after being swept by Johnston for second time
Time is running out on the Ankeny Centennial baseball team. The 10th-ranked Jaguars were swept by No. 2 Johnston for the second time this season on Wednesday at Centennial. The Dragons posted 9-6 and 6-1 victories to extend their winning streak to seven games while raising their record to 17-3. Centennial, meanwhile, dropped to 11-11 after getting off … [Read more...] about Jaguars fall to .500 mark after being swept by Johnston for second time
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Dane Churchman, Ankeny Centennial baseball
Senior Dane Churchman is a member of the Ankeny Centennial baseball team. He has helped the 10th-ranked Jaguars to an 11-9 record. Churchman has compiled a 3-0 mark on the mound with a 0.94 ERA. He has racked up 18 strikeouts while limiting opposing hitters to a .235 average. "Dane is what we call a grinder," said Centennial coach Mark Hey. "He gets … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Dane Churchman, Ankeny Centennial baseball
Trey bien: Morris, Hansen shine on mound as Centennial splits at Waukee
Two ranked baseball teams fighting to stay at or above the .500 mark collided on Monday at Waukee. The doubleheader resulted in a split. Ninth-ranked Waukee posted a 2-0 victory in the opener before No. 10 Ankeny Centennial bounced back with a 6-4 win in the nightcap. The Jaguars (11-9) turned in some outstanding pitching performances in both … [Read more...] about Trey bien: Morris, Hansen shine on mound as Centennial splits at Waukee
‘The guys played at a high level’: Ankeny sweeps Jaguars behind pitching gems
The Ankeny baseball team brought all of its pitching arms to Principal Park on Wednesday. That spelled trouble for the Hawks' crosstown rival. Fifth-ranked Ankeny got a pair of pitching gems from Bryce Rinderknecht and Brody Brecht to sweep a doubleheader against No. 10 Ankeny Centennial, 4-1 and 2-1. The Hawks gained some much-needed revenge after … [Read more...] about ‘The guys played at a high level’: Ankeny sweeps Jaguars behind pitching gems
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 96
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by the Ankeny office of Iowa Realty. Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm interviews all four of Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial's baseball and softball coaches to analyze the season thus far and to preview Wednesday's Jag-Hawk doubleheaders. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 96
Centennial splits against No. 3 Urbandale in potential substate preview
Monday's doubleheader between the Ankeny Centennial and Urbandale baseball teams resulted in a split. The two squads may get a chance to break the tie next month. The third-ranked J-Hawks and No. 10 Centennial have both been placed in Class 4A Substate 7. If they meet again, it would likely be in a substate final. "That's always a motivational … [Read more...] about Centennial splits against No. 3 Urbandale in potential substate preview
Centennial baseball team ends losing skid with sweep over Tigers
After scoring a total of just seven runs during a four-game losing streak, the Ankeny Centennial baseball team needed to bounce back Friday in a big way. The Jaguars responded with a doubleheader sweep over visiting Valley. Centennial rallied from an early 3-0 deficit to post a 7-5 victory in the opener, then followed with a 4-1 triumph in the second … [Read more...] about Centennial baseball team ends losing skid with sweep over Tigers
Cox fires 1-hitter to complete Maroons’ sweep over Centennial
Even without Carter Baumler, the Dowling Catholic baseball team still boasts some talented pitchers. The seventh-ranked Maroons got a one-hitter from Connor Cox and posted a 4-0 victory over visiting Ankeny Centennial to complete a sweep of Wednesday's CIML doubleheader. Dowling won the first game, 4-3, as a trio of pitchers combined to scatter seven … [Read more...] about Cox fires 1-hitter to complete Maroons’ sweep over Centennial
No. 4 Dragons sweep Centennial in matchup of unbeaten baseball teams
The Johnston baseball team entered Monday's doubleheader against Ankeny Centennial with an impressive resume. The fourth-ranked Dragons had played only one seven-inning game while outscoring their first six opponents by an 87-4 margin. Only once had the Dragons scored fewer than 12 runs in the first week of the season. The visiting Jaguars managed to … [Read more...] about No. 4 Dragons sweep Centennial in matchup of unbeaten baseball teams
Alberhasky, Churchman hurl Centennial baseball team to sweep over Bobcats
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team just keeps rolling along. The Jaguars swept another CIML doubleheader on Friday, posting 6-0 and 4-2 victories over visiting Marshalltown. They improved to 6-0 on the season, while the winless Bobcats fell to 0-6. "We're off to a nice start," said Centennial coach Mark Hey. "We got some really good pitching on … [Read more...] about Alberhasky, Churchman hurl Centennial baseball team to sweep over Bobcats
Jaguars complete sweep over East on Gray’s walk-off triple in 9th inning
Seven of the top 10 teams in the Class 4A preseason rankings by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association are from the Central Iowa Metropolitan League. Ankeny Centennial isn't one of them, but the Jaguars are making a strong case to be included in the next rankings. After sweeping No. 9 Des Moines Roosevelt in its season opener on Monday, … [Read more...] about Jaguars complete sweep over East on Gray’s walk-off triple in 9th inning
Unranked–and underrated?–Jaguars sweep No. 9 Roosevelt at Principal Park
Much of the attention on Monday's baseball doubleheader between Ankeny Centennial and Des Moines Roosevelt was focused on the national anthem. But once the games began at Principal Park, the Jaguars showed that they might be an underrated team in Class 4A. After the Roosevelt players knelt during the anthem to join the ongoing protest against racial … [Read more...] about Unranked–and underrated?–Jaguars sweep No. 9 Roosevelt at Principal Park
‘We’ve got some really good culture guys’: Jaguars to rely on seniors
There's no shortage of talent on this year's Ankeny Centennial baseball team. The Jaguars return several starters from last year's squad that went 28-12 for the most wins in school history. "We've got some really good culture guys," said Centennial coach Mark Hey. "Our seniors are tremendous leaders, and I'm just so excited that we get to have a season … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve got some really good culture guys’: Jaguars to rely on seniors
Summer sports athletes preparing for return to field with precautions
Jasmine Rumley wasn't sure if she'd get another chance to wear her Ankeny softball uniform. Now, it appears that she will. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced last week that summer athletic seasons may be conducted for high school baseball and softball following a two-month suspension of activities due to the coronavirus. Practices will begin on June … [Read more...] about Summer sports athletes preparing for return to field with precautions
S.E. Polk’s big first inning ends Jaguars’ winningest season in school history
Tyler Heinzerling took a stroll in the outfield grass all by himself. Ankeny Centennial's senior pitcher stared off into the distance as he realized his high school baseball career was over. "This is my team here--my favorite team that I've ever played with," said Heinzerling. "I had confidence in all our guys. It just didn't end the way we wanted it … [Read more...] about S.E. Polk’s big first inning ends Jaguars’ winningest season in school history
Jaguars edge Urbandale twice, allowing Johnston to capture conference title
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team appears to be ready for postseason play. The seventh-ranked Jaguars swept a doubleheader against No. 4 Urbandale, 5-4 and 9-8, on Monday at Centennial. The sweep avenged two earlier losses to the J-Hawks and allowed No. 1 Johnston to clinch the outright CIML Central Conference title. "Both games were nailbiters," … [Read more...] about Jaguars edge Urbandale twice, allowing Johnston to capture conference title
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 54
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by the Ankeny office of Iowa Realty. Baseball coach Mark Hey and softball coach Brett Delaney of Ankeny Centennial stopped by to talk about their red-hot teams with Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm, who also visited with Ankeny Activities Director Andy Umthun about his new … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 54