Cardinal softball falls to 1A No. 7 Wayne

WAYNE — Small ball is how Newton High’s Cardinal softball team was able to score against Class 1A seventh-ranked Wayne on Monday. The Cardinals were down 9-0 after two innings at Wayne and went to the bunt in the top of the third inning.

Newton did score four runs as the Cardinals’ bunting force several errors by the Falcons. The Falcons answered with a seven-run bottom half of the third to take a 16-4 win in three innings.

The Cardinals (0-14) were held to two hits — a single apiece by Malarie Zach and Kadence Ahn — by Wayne pitcher Berndt Sterling (9-2). Jazzlyn Cooper started in the circle for Newton but gave way to Kallie Van Kley with no outs in the first inning.

In the third, Taylor Lust led off by reaching on an error after bunting as did Grace Benson. They were followed by Kya Butler and Peyton Durr with bunts and errors by the Falcons. Zach had a bunt single and Van Kley reached on an error. Ahn had a single.

When the dust had settled, Newton had plated four runs. Unfortunately, the Cardinals could not keep the Falcons in check in the bottom of the inning. The Falcons finished with 10 hits which included five doubles and a home run.

Newton has a day off of action to practice. The Cardinals host Pella on Wednesday for Senior Night at Newton Softball Field, starting with a freshman game at 4 p.m., junior varsity game at 5:30 p.m. and the varsity game at 7:15 p.m.

Newton will recognize its two seniors — Jenna Smith and Malarie Zach — before the varsity game. The Cardinals are 0-10 in Little Hawkeye Conference play going against Pella.