March 28, 2024

Panthers scratch out win over Cards

Newton High’s Cardinals regained the lead in Monday’s non-conference home game against Knoxville in the fifth. Grant Nook’s single chased home Keith Steinbach, who was running for Duncan Lee, who was hit by a pitch.

Unfortunately, the Cardinals weren’t able to hold their 5-4 advantage. Knoxville’s Panthers put together three singles with two walks to score three runs in the sixth inning. Leading 7-5, the Panthers retired the Cardinals in order in the sixth and seventh innings for the win.

“Garrett Sturtz threw well on a night it was tough to be on the hill. We hit the ball better and scored runs,” Newton head coach Dustin Brisel said. “It was a wild night. We had four ejections from the game. I’ve never been a part of a game like that.”

On the hot, humid night at Woodland Park, Newton had two players and an assistant coach and Knoxville had a player ejected, Brisel said. Newton was already down a starter to begin the game.

Each team scored a run in the second inning. Knoxville used the only Newton error of the game to help plate a run after two singles. The run came across on a fielder’s choice by the Panthers.

Newton responded in its half of the second. Drew Stout singled to left field and with two gone, Nook delivered an RBI double.

Knoxville pushed to the lead on a single run in the third and two more in the fourth. The Cardinals knotted the score at 4-all with three runs in their half of the fourth inning.

Stout and Trevor Ergenbright drew back-to-back walks, and Nook was hit by a pitch with one gone. Knoxville changed pitchers, but with two outs, Brennen Dodd worked a base-on-balls to force in a run. Trey Vanderlaan punched a two-run single to right field.

Sturtz worked around a two-out walk to keep his team tied with Knoxville in the top of the fifth. Sturtz issued five walks and allowed nine hits. He struck out four.

Newton produced the go-ahead run in the fifth. Knoxville reclaimed the lead in the sixth and held on for the win.

Nook had a single and double, and two RBIs. Stout, Vanderlaan and Dodd each had a single.

The Cardinal varsity (9-19) wraps up Little Hawkeye Conference action Tuesday. They host Dallas Center-Grimes in a doubleheader starting at 5:30 p.m.

Newton concludes the regular season Wednesday with two junior varsity/varsity doubleheaders at home. Newton hosts South Tama starting with the JV game at 11 a.m. followed by the varsity at 1 p.m. The Cardinal teams are back at Eversman Field at 5:30 p.m. against Boone.