April 25, 2024

Cardinal softball splits LHC twin bill with 2A No. 9 Eagles

By Jocelyn Sheets

Anna Coyle claimed a pitching win over host Class 2A No. 9 Pella Christian on Monday in Little Hawkeye Conference play in Pella. (Jocelyn Sheets)

PELLA — Halting Class 2A ninth-ranked Pella Christian’s 10-game winning streak with a 5-2 victory on the Eagles’ softball diamond, Newton High’s Cardinals got a split of Monday’s Little Hawkeye Conference doubleheader.

Emily Valtman continued her tear at the plate going 3-tor-4. She put the Cardinals on the scoreboard first in the second game with her ninth home run of the season. She hit a leadoff solo home run in the second inning.

The Cardinals had back-to-back two-run frames in the fourth and fifth innings. Pella Christian averted being shutout by Newton and starting pitcher Anna Coyle by scoring twice in the seventh inning.

Valtman had a one-out single in the fourth followed by Taylor Ryan reaching on an error. With two gone, Kennedy Leiker put down a but for fielder’s choice and two runs scored on the play.

In the fifth inning, Karley Leiker singled and Bailey Davis was safe on an Eagle miscue. Peyton Maher singled to load the bases. With one gone, Ryan drove in a run on a sacrifice fly then Rilee Slycord delivered a two-out RBI base hit.

The Eagles used a double, a Cardinal error and a single to plate their two runs in the seventh.

Coyle got the win in the circle for Newton, giving up five hits and striking out five. The loss was only the second one of the season for Pella Christian (12-2).

Valtman had two singles to go with her home run. Karley Leiker, Maher, Ryan and Slycord each had a single for Newton.

In the opener, Pella Christian’s Emma Schnell handcuffed the Newton hitters. Valtman had the two hits for the Cardinals and scored their only run. She doubled and scored on an error in the fourth inning.

The Eagles won 3-1 on two home runs. Elizabeth Van Manen hit a two-run shot in the first inning and Chloe Dembski had a solo home run in the third.

Schnell struck out eight Newton batters and issued one walk. Maher took the pitching loss for Newton, allowing four hits, walking two and striking out nine.

Newton is 6-3 in LHC play and 11-7 overall. The Cardinals play at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at home against Class 5A No. 9 Indianola at the Berg Middle School softball field.

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