April 25, 2024

Cardinal softball edged at end by Little Cyclones

By Jocelyn Sheets

Kari Adams rounds third base headed for home in a game last year. Adams is one of the veterans on the Newton High softball team in 2015. The Cardinals dropped a 9-8 decision Friday at Ames to open the season. (Jocelyn Sheets)

AMES — For six and a half innings, Newton High’s Cardinal softball team did everything right in its 2015 season opener on the road. The Cardinals led host Ames Little Cyclones, 8-3, heading into the bottom of the seventh inning.

Unfortunately, the game got away from the Cardinals in that half inning. Ames took advantage of six hits and a couple of Cardinal errors to score six runs to win the game 9-8.

Ames’ Hannah Lindsey delivered a two-run single just past diving Newton shortstop Sydney Jenkins for the game-winning runs.

“We played hard and aggressive on the bases. We mentally fell apart at the end,” said Kristina McNew, Newton head coach. “These girls will bounce back on Monday because they want to win.”

Newton (0-1) has its home opener Monday against Urbandale. The junior varsity plays at 6 p.m. followed by the varsity at 7:30 p.m. at the Berg Middle School softball field. Tuesday, Newton plays at Knoxville.

Eighth-grader Peyton Maher got the starting nod in the pitching circle for Newton. Maher and the Cardinal defense kept the Little Cyclones in check until the bottom of the sixth inning. Maher gave way for fellow eighth-grader Anna Coyle.

Coyle started the seventh inning for Newton and was greeted by four hits. Coyle struck one out, but also walked a batter. Maher re-entered as pitcher with Newton leading 8-6. Ames continued its offensive assault to score three more runs for the win.

Maher took the loss, pitching 6 2/3 innings. She allowed four runs on four hits and three walks. Maher struck out six. Coyle pitched 1/3 inning, giving up five runs on four hits and one walk with one strikeout.

Newton scored five runs in the first inning. Jenkins drew a lead-off walk and stole second base, then freshman Karley Leiker singled and went to second on an error.

With one gone, sophomore Bailey Davis had a base hit and freshman Audrey Lucas’ sacrifice drove in a run.

Freshman Kennedy Leiker connected for an RBI single. Juniors Fran Lucas and Kari Adams each were hit by pitches to load the bases.

Taylor Ryan, a freshman, drew a base-on-balls to force in a run. Jenkins worked her second walk of the inning to bring in the fifth run.

The Cardinals chased Ames starter Macee Buss out of the circle after two outs in the first inning. Ames brought in Caitlin Barker, who eventually got the pitching win.

Still up 5-3, the Cardinals responded with three runs in the top of the seventh inning. Davis and Audrey Lucas had back-to-back singles with Lucas stealing second base. Kennedy Leiker ripped a RBI single followed by Fran Lucas reaching on an error. Adams walked and Ryan drove in another run on a sacrifice fly.

Davis, Audrey Lucas and Kennedy Leiker each had two singles in the game. Jenkins doubled. Karley Leiker and Maher had a single apiece.

The Newton junior varsity claimed a 6-2 win Friday. Newton’s freshmen beat Ames, 15-8.

Contact Jocelyn Sheets at
641-792-3121 ext. 6535 or jsheets@newtondailynews.com