Hits not there for Cardinals in LHC loss to Oskaloosa

OSKALOOSA — One big hit is what separated Newton High’s Cardinals from host Oskaloosa’s Indians Friday in a Little Hawkeye Conference baseball game.

“They got the big hit and we didn’t,” Newton head coach Dustin Brisel said following a 3-0 loss. “We didn’t hit the ball again tonight. We got another tremendous pitching performance by Garrett Sturtz. It comes down to we’re not hitting the ball. Once that happens, we’ll win games, especially these close ones.”

Three singles by Oskaloosa’s Blake VanVeldhuizen, Peyton Crouse and Seth Sarver loaded the bases for in the bottom of the second. Tucker Nunnikhoven connected for a two-out, three-run double.

Newton had two on and no one out in the first and third innings and did not score. The Cardinals had two runners on with two out in the fifth and couldn’t get a hit to bring in runs.

Sturtz pitched his second complete game in three days for the Cardinals. In a 4-0 win Wednesday at home, Sturtz threw 59 pitches and Friday he worked the six innings with 61 pitches — 47 of which were strikes.

“On two days rest, Garrett came back and had their hitters off balance. Four of the eight hits he gave up came in that one inning. We played solid defense behind him and he struck out one,” Brisel said.

The Cardinals were held to four hits, all singles. Drew Stout, Brennen Dodd, Sturtz and Trevor Ergenbright had one each.

Oskaloosa (11-2) used Sarver and Joey Sterner on the mound. They combined for 108 pitches, and Sarver, who got the win, issued the only walk of the game. The Indians are 5-1 in LHC play.

The Cardinals are 5-6 overall and 2-3 in Little Hawkeye Conference action. They host Class 3A top-ranked Pella at 5:30 p.m. Monday for a varsity LHC doubleheader at Eversman Field in Woodland Park.

Contact Jocelyn Sheets at
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or jsheets@newtondailynews.com