Newton softball battles, loses to Pella Christian

PELLA — Locked in another close contest to open Little Hawkeye Conference play, Newton High’s softball Cardinals led their host through four innings. Newton was up 1-0 on Pella Christian until the Eagles pushed across two runs in the fifth.

Pella Christian remained undefeated with a 2-1 win over Newton Wednesday. The Cardinals fall to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in conference play.

“Our defense was good tonight,” said Kristina McNew, Newton head coach. “It just wasn’t a good night at the plate for us.”

Newton had two hits. Junior Sydney Jenkins opened the game with a home run to put the Cardinals up 1-0. It was the only time the Eagles have trailed in seven games this season.

The game developed into a pitching dual between Newton eighth-grader Anna Coyle and Pella Christian sophomore Emma Schnell. Schnell gave up one more hit, a leadoff single by Kari Adams in the third.

Coyle had quieted the Eagles’ bats with one hit through four innings. Coyle issued a one-out walk to Sophie Howerzyl in the fifth and Tessa Howerzyl reached on an error. Brooke Mitrisin laced out a two-out, two-run double for the Eagles.

That was it for the hitting by the two teams. Coyle was charged with two runs on two hits and three walks with one strikeout. Peyton Maher, another eighth-grader, took over in the circle. Maher threw two innings of no-hit, shutout softball with one walk and two strikeouts.

Schnell retired 20 of 23 after Jenkins’ home run to start the game. She racked up 15 strikeouts and walked one batter.

Newton’s junior varsity lost 7-0 to Pella Christian.

Newton hosts Colfax-Mingo in a varsity doubleheader Thursday. First pitch is at 6 p.m. at Newton’s Berg Middle School field.

The Cardinals play in the Oskaloosa tournament Saturday.

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