April 19, 2024

Travis, Cardinals shut down Warriors in LHC action

By Jocelyn Sheets

Glove talk — Newton starting pitcher Jordan Travis (7) catcher Duncan Lee and shortstop Tyler Wood have a discussion on the mound during a recent home game. Newton High’s Cardinals won, 4-1, with Travis on the mound Wednesday at Norwalk. Newton is 5-1 in Little Hawkeye Conference play. (Jocelyn Sheets)

NORWALK — All phases of the game of baseball were clicking for Newton High’s Cardinals Wednesday on the road. The Cardinals notched a 4-1 win against host Norwalk in Little Hawkeye Conference play.

“Everything was clicking tonight. We had great pitching, great defense and got the hits at the right times in the game,” said Dustin Brisel, Newton head coach. “We hit the ball hard again tonight.”

With the victory, the Cardinals improved to 5-1 in LHC action and 9-3 overall. Norwalk’s Warriors dropped to 3-5 in conference and 5-8 overall.

“It was a big conference win for us. Norwalk is a good team and we faced good pitching tonight,” Brisel said. “Now, our focus is on Friday night for conference wins and a conference championship.”

Newton has a LHC doubleheader at home Friday against Pella Christian. The first game is at 5:30 p.m. at Eversman Field in Newton’s Woodland Park.

At Norwalk, Jordan Travis improved to 3-2 on the mound for Newton. The senior scattered five hits across seven innings of work, allowing one run. Travis walked two and struck out four batters.

The Cardinals’ leading hitter, senior Tyler Wood, delivered a two-run base hit in the first inning. Junior Drew Stout was hit by a pitch and senior Jeff Stanton singled, then Wood stroked a single to center field.

Norwalk used a double and a single to open the bottom of the second inning. The Cardinals gave up a run to turn a double play in the inning.

Leading 2-1, Newton plated two insurance runs in the fourth inning. Junior Duncan Lee reached safely on a dropped third strike, Derek Damman, a junior, connected for a one-out single and senior Tristan Peters was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Travis worked a walk and forced in a run. Stout came through with an RBI single.

Travis and the Cardinal defense kept the Warriors scoreless for five straight innings. Travis worked around a one-out walk in the seventh by striking out the next two batters to end the game.

Stanton and Wood, who hits at a .371 clip, finished with two singles apiece. Travis doubled. Stout, Lee and Damman each had a single.

Newton’s junior varsity lost 3-0 to Norwalk.

On Saturday, is the annual NHS junior varsity and varsity tournament at Woodland Park.

Newton Baseball Hall of Fame ceremonies are at 5:30 p.m. Saturday on Eversman Field. The Cardinals new inductees are former player Todd Rose, a 1981 graduate, and Newton’s Steve Vorhies, a team supporter since 1977.

NHS Baseball Tournaments

Saturday

Junior Varsity Tournament

10 a.m. — BGM vs. Newton, Eversman Field; Ottumwa vs. Chariton, Holland-Patterson Field

12:30 p.m. — Championship game, Eversman Field; Consolation game, Holland-Patterson Field or if Newton is playing Eversman Field

Varsity Tournament

3 p.m. — BGM vs. Newton, Eversman Field; Chariton vs. Ottumwa, Holland-Patterson Field

5:30 p.m. — Championship game, Eversman Field; Consolation game, Holland-Patterson Field or if Newton is playing Eversman Field

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