Missed opportunities doom Cardinals in twin bill with Indians

OSKALOOSA — Emily Valtman’s 10th home run of the season pushed Newton High’s Cardinals to a 2-0 lead over Class 4A sixth-ranked Oskaloosa in the first inning of Wednesday’s opening game of a Little Hawkeye Conference doubleheader.

The Cardinals couldn’t hold the lead as their hosts scored three runs in the third inning. Newton went back up 4-3 in the top of the fifth frame. Oskaloosa responded with four runs in its half of the inning on its way to a 7-4 win.

Valtman cranked out two solo home runs in a 4-3 Newton loss in the nightcap. The Indians used a three-run fifth to claim a 3-2 lead and added a run in the sixth.

Valtman had two-out home runs in the first and seventh innings for the Cardinals. She has 12 home run for the season.

“We didn’t take advantage of the opportunities we had in either game. We made too many defensive errors,” Newton head coach Kristina McNew said. “You can’t win many games giving up too many unearned runs and striking out as many times as we did tonight.”

Newton had two errors in the first game. Peyton Maher started in the circle for the Cardinals and Anna Coyle came on in relief in the bottom of the fifth inning. The two pitchers allowed seven hits and issued five walks.

In the first inning, Karley Leiker, who had three hits in the game, singled with one out. She crossed the plate before Valtman after her two-run home run.

Trailing 3-2, the Cardinals produced two runs in the top of the fifth inning to regain the lead. Karley Leiker doubled with one gone and Valtman drew walk. Maher connected for a two-run single.

Oskaloosa battled right back to take the lead again. A walk, three hits and a Cardinal error helped the Indians plate four runs.

Karley Leiker had two singles and a double. Valtman homered and Maher singled. Rilee Slycord hit a double.

All three Newton runs were scored with two gone in the innings. In the first frame, Valtman hit a home run. In the fifth inning, Karley Leiker doubled, Valtman walked and Taylor Ryan hit an RBI base hit to put Newton up 2-0.

Two errors by Newton benefited Oskaloosa in the bottom of the fifth as the Indians scored three runs. They added an insurance run in the sixth on a home run by Maddie Haines.

Valtman’s second home run of the game made it 4-3 in the top of the seventh. That was all the Cardinals could muster.

Coyle took the pitching loss. She allowed six hits, walked one and struck out three.

Karley Leiker had two doubles and Ryan hit two singles in the game. Hitting a single each were Lakin Jenkins, Slycord and Bailey Davis.

Newton dropped to 14-13 overall and to 8-7 in conference play. The Cardinals play a 7:30 p.m. LHC game on Friday at Pella.

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