March 28, 2024

Newton rocks Lady Dutch

PELLA — Eighteen hits helped Newton High’s Cardinals to pile up 11 runs on Friday night on their way to a Little Hawkeye Conference win over host Pella. The Cardinal softball team won 11-1 to improve to 9-7 in LHC play.

The offensive onslaught was highlighted by sophomore Emily Valtman’s 13th home run — a solo shot — and junior Mackenzie Johnson’s two-run home run. Both home runs came in a six-run seventh inning.

Valtman put Newton up 7-1 with one gone in the seventh. She is now tied atop the Class 4A home run list for the season. Johnson hit her first homer of the season three batters later.

Sophomore Anna Coyle went the distance in the circle for Newton. She limited the Lady Dutch to four hits, walked one and struck out seven. Newton committed four errors defensively.

The Cardinals got on the scoreboard quickly with four runs in the first inning. Karley Leiker was hit by pitch to open the game. With one gone, Valtman, Taylor Ryan and Peyton Maher each connected for a base hit. Rilee Slycord was hit by pitch and Audrey Lucas singled in a run.

Pella score its run in the fourth inning. Newton used singles by Bailey Davis and Valtman and a two-run double by Ryan to extend its lead to 6-1 in the fifth frame.

After Valtman homered in the seventh. Ryan and Maher had back-to-back doubles followed by Johnson’s shot over the fence. Lucas doubled to keep the line going then Kennedy Leiker and Harlie Durr each had a single to score the final run.

Maher was 4-for-4 with three singles and a double. Ryan and Valtman each were 3-for-4. Ryan had two doubles and single and Valtman had two singles and her home run.

Lucas hit a single and a double and Davis had two base hits. Hitting a single each were Karley Leiker, Kennedy Leiker and Durr.

Newton is 9-7 in LHC play and 15-13 overall. The Cardinals host Norwalk for a conference doubleheader starting at 6 p.m. Monday at Newton’s Berg Middle School field.

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