March 28, 2024

Cardinal softball rallies past Pella in a LHC showdown

PELLA — With a late charge, Newton High’s Cardinals turned things around quickly in Wednesday’s Little Hawkeye Conference softball showdown against host Pella’s Lady Dutch. The Class 4A 15th-ranked Cardinals fell behind 6-1 in the first three innings.

Newton rallied for five runs in the sixth for a 6-6 tie with the 4A 13th-ranked Lady Dutch. The Cardinals retired Pella in order in the seventh inning to force the game into extra innings.

Freshman Rilee Slycord delivered the big blow for Newton. With Taylor Ryan on base, Slycord powered out a two-run home run in the top of the eighth to put the Cardinals on top 8-6.

Peyton Maher, who came on in relief of Cardinal starting pitcher Anna Coyle in the third, and the Cardinals set down the Lady Dutch in order again in the eighth for the win.

Coyle gave up four runs on two hits and two walks in two innings and struck out one Pella batter. Maher took over in the third, and allowed two runs in the third. After that, Maher and the Cardinals shut down the Lady Dutch.

Newton scored a run in the top of the third. Kennedy Leiker led off with a single and ended up at second on an error. Kari Adams, who was 3-for-4, reached on a fielder’s choice, stole second and scored on a two-out RBI single by Sydney Jenkins.

“We made a pitching change and a few defensive changes after the first two innings,” Newton head coach Kristina McNew said. “The girls had a big sixth inning and eighth inning to claim the win.”

Karley Leiker opened the sixth for Newton with a base hit and Maher drew a walk. With one gone, Ryan drove in a run on a single. Slycord was safe on an error. Adams produced an RBI single followed by a two-run base hit by Fran Lucas.

McNew said Adams and Fran Lucas had a great night at the plate leading the team’s 13-hit attack. Adams had two singles and a double while Fran Lucas, Karley Leiker and Ryan each had two singles.

Slycord had the home run. Jenkins, Maher and Kennedy Leiker each had a single.

The pitching win went to Maher, who allowed four hits and struck out two. Newton committed five errors in the game.

Newton finished at 7-5 in Little Hawkeye Conference play, sweeping the season series with Pella. The Cardinals (21-9) wraps up regular season action in a 7:30 p.m. non-conference game Thursday at Urbandale.

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