Cardinals lose three games in weekend tournament

Whenever a new regime takes over, there is a period of adjustment. Whether it be new management at a restaurant, a new editor at a newspaper or in this case a new coach of a team, that adjustment will take time before everyone becomes settled.

The Newton softball team may still be adjusting to its combination of youth on the diamond along with a new coach in Ashley Ryan.

The team traveled to State Center for a tournament on Saturday, and came out licking its wounds after losing all three of its games. The Cards lost 14-0 against East Marshall, 3-1 to Des Moines Christian and 14-4 to Greene County.

In Game One against East Marshall, the offense for the Cardinals was held in check. The team picked up only two walks and no hits in the four-inning game. Senior Sarita Smith walked in the top of the first, and Ashton Hoffman walked in the top of the fourth. Other than that, only Kari Adams reached base via an East Marshall error.

Hoffman started the game in the circle for the Cardinals. She gave up all 14 runs, 10 of which were earned, in four innings pitched. She also struck out two batters.

The second game of the day was significantly closer, as the Cardinals were locked in a tight contest with the Des Moines Christian Lions.

The Lions came out and scored a run in the first inning to take the early lead. In the second inning, Newton sophomore Sarah Kalkhoff reached on a Lions’ error to get things started. She advanced to second base on a wild pitch. Then she got to third base on a fielder’s choice and eventually scored on an error on a ball hit by freshman Frances Lucas.

The Lions put two runs on the board in the third inning, and that was it for the scoring, as the Lions held on from there to win, 3-1.

Sidney Tingle took the loss for the Cardinals. She pitched the entire game, giving up seven hits and one walk.

Madison Bagnall went 1-for-3 with a double in the fourth inning. Freshman Sidney Jenkins was also 1-for-3 with a double.

The Cardinals’ third game was against Greene County. Newton got down big early after GC scored runs in each of the first three innings, including six runs in the third, and they lost 14-4 in five innings.

Newton got off to a promising start as Kari Adams doubled to lead off the game. She was left stranded, however, and the Cardinals failed to push a run across in the first inning. Lucas reached on an error with two outs in the second inning, but again, the Cardinals came away scoreless.

Newton put their first run on the board in the third inning. Adams walked with one out, and an error on a ball hit by Jenkins with two outs allowed her to score.

The Cards looked like they had a promising rally going in the next inning. Lucas walked with two outs to keep the inning going. Molly Davros reached on a fielder’s choice that was not converted. Eighth grader Kaitlyn Ahn walked to load the bases for Adams. Greene County was able to get out of trouble and keep the Cardinals from crossing the plate.

Smith started a rally in the fifth inning with a walk. Jenkins then hit a double, allowing Smith to score. Kalkhoff reached on an error to put runners at the corners. A walk to Bagnall loaded the bases. Davros hit a ball that was misplayed, allowing the final two Newton runs to cross the plate.

The Cardinals will try to bounce back with a win today as they take on Pella on the road.