March 29, 2024

Cardinals end season in district play

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PELLA — Four out of seven innings Newton High’s Cardinals had baserunners against fifth-ranked Pella’s Little Dutch and their ace senior Grant Judkins in Friday’s Class 3A District 12 semifinal baseball game.

“A key hit in any of those situations and this game would have been different. That’s how our season went,” Newton head coach Dustin Brisel said following a 6-0 loss to the Dutch.

The Cardinals had four hits — all singles — and two came in one inning.

Friday’s loss concluded Newton’s season. The Cardinals finished at 9-22.

Pella scored a run in the first inning and two in the second. Newton held the Dutch scoreless for three innings, before they added on three runs in the sixth.

Newton’s leadoff hitter, junior center fielder Brennen Dodd, drew a walk to open the game but was out at second on a fielder’s choice on a grounder by junior first baseman Trey Vanderlaan. The next two Cardinal batters were retired.

Trailing 3-0, the Cardinals made a little noise in the fourth inning. Vanderlaan broke up Judkins’ no-hit bid with a single to center field. Vanderlaan advanced to second on a passed ball, and senior third baseman Drew Stout reached on a base-on-balls.

Judkins sat down the next three batters — two by strikeouts. Judkins, who will play for Iowa next year, had 11 strikeouts in the game for Pella.

“Our defense was great tonight, and our pitching was solid. It has been all season. We were still in the game,” Brisel said.

The pitching and defense showed throughout the game. In the first inning, Newton starting pitcher, junior Connor Gholson, came off the mound to field a ball hit by Judkins and throw to Stout at third base. Stout tagged out Tyler Hillman for the second out of the inning.

After two runs were in for the Dutch in the second inning with two gone, Gholson issued two walks to load the bases. He struck out Pella catcher Jaden Rolffs to end the inning.

The Cardinals got something cooking in the top of the fifth inning, still down 3-0.

With two gone, senior left fielder Grant Nook shook off a foul ball hitting his hand to deliver a base hit to right field. On a hit-and-run, Nook took off for second as Dodd singled to right. Vanderlaan worked a walk to load the bases. Stout put a charge into a Judkins pitch which was caught in center field to end the threat.

Landon Vander Leest, who was 3-for-4 in the game for Pella, pounded a triple to right field to begin the Dutch’s fifth inning. Gholson gave way to sophomore Garrett Sturtz on the mound for Newton. Sturtz struck out Caleb Piersma.

The Dutch attempted a squeeze bunt play with Lucas Hileman at the plate. Hileman got the bunt down but was called out for bat interference, which sent Vander Leest back to third base, where he stayed. Gholson, who switched with Sturtz at shortstop, charged a ball hit by Avery Van Zee and threw Van Zee out at first to retire the side.

Gholson connected for a single off Judkins to leadoff the sixth. Judkins retired the next three Newton batters.

Tyler Hillman, who was 4-for-4 in the game, delivered his third single of the night to start the sixth for Pella. With one gone, Newton intentionally walked Judkins for a second time, and Rolffs’ single drove in a run.

A two-out double by Vander Leest plated two more runs. Piersma singled to center field. Dodd threw the ball to Lee at home and Newton caught Vander Leest in a rundown. Lee chased the Pella runner back toward third, made the throw to Stout and Stout tagged Vander Leest out to end the inning.

Newton was retired in order in the top of the seventh as Judkins recorded his last two strikeouts. Judkins issued three walks to Newton hitters.

Gholson (2-7) took the loss, going four innings Friday. He was charged with three runs on six hits and six walks. He struck out seven. Sturtz (2-6) pitched two innings, allowing three runs on four hits and one walk and had one strikeout.

“Connor and Garrett gave it their all tonight. We faced one of the best pitchers in the state, and he will take them (Pella) far,” Brisel said. “We were a hit away, which is the story of our season.”

Vanderlaan, Nook, Gholson and Dodd each had a single.

“The future of Cardinal baseball is bright. We have a lot of guys returning, including all of our pitchers. Yes, we have some big holes to fill with the seniors we’re losing, but we’re a young team and we’ll grow,” Brisel said. “We’ll get the hitting figured out.”

Newton had six seniors on its roster, but only three saw on-field action — Stout, Lee and Nook. Bryce Tish was sidelined with an injury. Jacob Risius and Jordan Henning were the other senior players.

“Hitting the ball was our rough point all season, but as the year went along we made steps. Our strikeout rate from the beginning of the year to now is astronomically lower,” Lee said. “Our defense and pitching were strong all season. We were putting the ball in play. We just couldn’t catch a break all year.”

Lee pointed out with all the offensively woes the Cardinals experienced, the Newton players stayed even keeled. He said they all came to practices and games to put in the same hard work and with great attitudes.

“As seniors, we hope we gave the team some strong leadership and set good examples for the younger guys,” Lee said. “We believe we showed how to do things right in the weight room, in BP (batting practice), on the field and off the field. They have a lot of guys who can step up and lead next year and have a good season.”

Newton finished 5-13 in Little Hawkeye Conference play. The Cardinals were sixth in the conference.

Pella (28-8) advances to the 3A District 12 championship game Monday at Pella against Knoxville, which beat Chariton 5-2 Friday.

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