Indianola beats Cardinals in LHC softball

INDIANOLA — Newton High’s Cardinal softball team had a two-out rally for two runs in the fourth inning against the Class 5A sixth-ranked Indianola Indians on Wednesday.

The Class 4A 13th-ranked Cardinals just couldn’t dig out of the 5-0 hole they were in early against their host. The Cardinals dropped a 6-2 Little Hawkeye Conference decision to the Indians.

Newton dropped 6-3 in LHC play. Indianola stands atop the conference at 12-0.

Indianola (18-2) got on the scoreboard with one swing of the bat in the first inning. Parker Mathews connected for a one-out single followed by a two-run home run from Sammie Becker.

The Indians added three runs in the second taking advantage of a walk and two errors by the Cardinals. They had a three singles in the mix to help drive in the runs. In the sixth, a two-out double by Emma Yenger plated the final run.

Peyton Maher took the loss in the pitching circle. She went the distance and gave up nine hits and woke three. She recorded seven strikeouts.

Her counterpart — Sydney Sickels — threw a complete game for the Indians. Sickels limited the Cardinal offense to six singles and issued one walk. She struck out 11. Indianola retired the Cardinals in order four times including the seventh inning.

Emily Valtman led the Newton offense with two base hits. Hitting a single each were Mackensie Brown, Karley Leiker, Taylor Ryan and Maher.

Newton (12-3) hosts a varsity doubleheader at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday against Dallas Center-Grimes at Newton Softball Field. Newton is playing in Saturday’s West Marshall tournament in State Center.

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