March 28, 2024

Newton softball downs 1A No. 2 Lynnville-Sully at Oskaloosa

Cardinals go 2-0 in weekend tournament; Albia rallies past Hawks

One summer after not winning a single game on the diamond, Newton’s softball team is on a roll.

The Cardinals improved to 6-3 and won their fourth straight game after going 2-0 at the Oskaloosa tournament on Saturday.

Newton opened its day with a 6-1 win over Class 1A No. 2 Lynnville-Sully and then handed North Mahaska a 1-0 defeat at Lacey Sports Complex.

“We had two more good wins today,” Newton softball coach Kory Leiker said. “Lynnville-Sully placed third in the state tournament last year in their class.”

Newton (6-3) jumped on the Hawks early, scoring five runs in the first inning and chasing all-state pitcher Denali Conover.

Lynnville-Sully’s lone run came in the top half of the first inning. Newton had just four hits in the game but plated a sixth run in the third to seal the win.

Jazlynn Cooper tallied two of the Cardinals’ four hits and also added two RBIs, one run and one steal.

Madison Henwood, who made her first varsity start, finished with one hit, one run and one hit by pitch.

“Madison had a great plate experience and came through when we needed her,” Leiker said.

Newton took advantage of six walks and four hit by pitches from L-S pitching.

“The girls were really patient at the plate and drew a lot of walks,” Leiker said. “That gave us the opportunity for some timely hits. And we played some solid defense, too.”

Chassidy Henwood finished with one walk, one hit by pitch and one RBI, Kya Butler was hit by two pitches, scored a run, had one RBI and stole a base and Maggie Garrett drew three walks and scored two runs.

Katelyn Lambert and Kadance Ahn each walked and scored a run and Chloe Swank walked once and had an RBI.

Nevara Gray collected the other hit at the plate and earned the win in the circle. She improved to 2-2 after allowing one unearned run on one hit with six strikeouts and three walks.

Conover got the Hawks’ lone hit but took the loss in the circle. She allowed three earned runs on three hits with three strikeouts, five walks and two hit batters in 2 1/3 innings.

Aliya James pitched the final 1 2/3 innings and allowed one earned run on one hit with one strikeout, one walk and two hit batters.

Korinne Jansen and Caitlin Alberts each walked once and stole a base and Jansen scored the team’s lone run.

In Newton’s 1-0 win over North Mahaska (4-3), the Cardinals had just two hits but Kallie VanKley was great in the circle.

VanKley improved to 4-1 after allowing no runs on three hits with 12 strikeouts and one walk in six innings. Her earned run average dropped to 1.88.

Newton scored the game’s only run in the fifth.

Ahn had one hit, one walk, one hit by pitch and one stolen base, Gray finished with one hit and one hit by pitch, Lambert tallied an RBI, Swank walked once and Addison Ross scored the game’s only run as a courtesy runner.

“This was more of a pitcher’s dual and defensive battle,” Leiker said. “We kept giving our team a chance to score a run to get us the lead and we did that in the fifth.”

With Ross on third and Lambert at the plate, Leiker called for a squeeze bunt. It was executed perfectly, but Ross broke her fibula and tibia after scoring on the play

“She gave up her body for the team win,” Leiker said. “This is the type of culture we have created. We are getting these injuries because all of the girls are giving ultimate effort on every play. That’s all you can ask for as a coach.”

North Mahaska’s Madison McKay pitched well but took the loss after allowing one earned run on two hits with 10 strikeouts and two walks.

Newton continues to count on young players and several injuries have forced the coaching staff to dig deep into its bench.

“Paige Benson also made her first start today,” Leiker said. “Every time we have an injury, the next girl comes in and gives the effort we ask of them. It’s very exciting for us to see these other players step up and help the team get better.”

Lynnville-Sully’s second game came against Albia and the Hawks couldn’t hold a 3-0 lead as the Lady Demons scored four in the fifth during a 4-3 win.

Jansen doubled, tripled and scored two runs to lead the Hawks (6-4).

L-S finished with five hits but committed two errors. Reagan McFarland and James each had one hit and one RBI, Conover finished with one hit and one walk, Alberts tallied an RBI and a steal and Cayler Noun Harder scored a run.

Conover took the loss in the circle after allowing three earned runs on six hits with three strikeouts, three walks and two hit batters in six innings.

Mackenna James earned the win for Albia (5-2) after allowing three earned runs on five hits with nine strikeouts and two walks.