March 29, 2024

Cardinals’ hitting is stymied in loss

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TAMA — Hitting the ball in run-scoring situations is eluding Newton High’s Cardinals right now.

The Cardinals out hit an opponent Tuesday, but came up on the short end of a 3-2 score against host South Tama.

“We’re not hitting the ball, and that’s why we’re not winning games right now,” Newton head coach Dustin Brisel said. “Our pitching and defense were great again tonight. We just didn’t get the job done at the plate when we had men on base.”

The Cardinals (16-13) have lost three games in a row and are 3-5 for the month of July. They wrap up the regular season Wednesday at Boone.

Newton begins Class 4A Substate 7 play Friday against Des Moines Hoover at 7 p.m. at Eversman Field in Woodland Park.

Newton will have its Senior Night recognition following the playoff game.

Jeff Stanton took the loss on the mound for Newton, going six innings. He gave up five hits, walked three and struck out five. The Cardinal defense made one error in the game.

The Cardinals came up with seven hits against three Trojan pitchers, but left seven men on base.

In the first inning, Drew Stout, who was 2-for-4 on the night, led off with a single to left field. Stout moved around to third on a sacrifice by Stanton and a ground out by Michael Barr. He scored on a Trojan error.

South Tama used a hit batter, a wild pitch and a passed ball to score the equalizer in the bottom of the first.

After a double play in the top of the third, Stout began a two-out rally for the Cardinals. Stout doubled to center field and scored on a triple by Stanton.

The Trojans knotted the score again in their half of the inning. A two-out single drove in the run to forge a 2-2 tie.

Back-to-back doubles by Dalton Doyle and Mitch Thede produced the go-ahead run for the Trojans, who snapped a 10-game losing skid with Tuesday’s win.

Newton’s Mike McCormick was hit by a pitch to begin the seventh inning and Brennen Dodd drew a walk. Jordan Travis had a sacrifice to move the runners, then Stout hit a fielder’s choice as McCormick was tagged out at home. A strikeout ended the game.

Hitting a single each for Newton were Tyler Wood, Duncan Lee, Dodd and Travis.

Newton’s junior varsity posted a 3-1 win over South Tama. Tyler Stanton was the winning pitcher, giving up four hits, walking one and striking out seven.

Tyler Stanton and Reagan Maple each had two singles. Tristan Peters, Trey Vanderlaan and Grant Nook each had a single.

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