March 19, 2024

Newton chalks up walk-off win over Knoxville

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Standing in the on-deck circle before the start of the bottom of the eighth inning in Wednesday’s home opener for Newton High’s softball team, sophomore Taylor Ryan and freshman Emily Valtman talked. They were the first two batters up for the Cardinals in a 3-3 game with visiting Knoxville.

“We told each other we were going to get a hit before we went up to bat,” Ryan said after she scored the winning run for Newton. “I was just looking for a good pitch to hit, and luckily, I was able to hit the ball.”

Ryan led off with a single down the third-base line. Valtman put a charge into an inside pitch, driving the ball to right center field for a walk-off RBI double.

“It was an inside pitch, which is my favorite pitch to hit,” Valtman said. “This was a big win for us.”

On Valtman’s hit, Ryan took off from first and was waved home by Newton head coach Kristina McNew. Ryan slid across home plate in front of a throw from the Knoxville outfield.

The Cardinals beat the Panthers, 4-3, to improve to 2-0 on the season.

“It was a great win tonight,” McNew said. “The girls kept fighting and answered back for the victory. I’m proud of them.”

Newton began its home opener with a flurry, scoring three runs in the first inning. Senior Sydney Jenkins drew a leadoff walk. Sophomore Karley Leiker, freshman Peyton Maher and Ryan had three straight RBI doubles.

Knoxville tied the game up in the second inning using three hits and a Newton error to score three runs. There it stood until the eighth inning.

Each team had scoring opportunities in between those innings, but failed to get the hit to bring in base runners. Jenkins beat out an infield single with one out in the bottom of the seventh. The Cardinals left her on base.

Maher went the distance in the circle for Newton. She gave up nine hits but did not issue a walk. Maher chalked up six strikeouts.

Ryan, Valtman and Karley Leiker each had a single and a double in the game. Maher had a double.

Newton’s junior varsity finished in a 4-4 tie when Rilee Slycord hit a solo home run over the left field fence in the bottom of the fifth. The game ended on a time-limit rule.

Newton hosts Ames Friday at Berg Middle School field. The freshman game starts at 4:30 p.m. followed by the junior varsity and the varsity game is slated to begin a 7:30 p.m.

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