Ranked Norwalk shuts out Newton in softball doubleheader

NORWALK — Class 4A No. 6 Norwalk silenced Newton’s bats during a Little Hawkeye Conference softball doubleheader on Monday night.

The Warriors shut out the Cardinals 1-0 and 6-0 and allowed just five hits on the night.

“We played well defensively to keep the score close,” Newton softball coach Kory Leiker said. “We continued to give our team a shot to beat them. Our offense just stalled out.”

Norwalk (7-4 overall, 4-1 in the LHC) scored the game’s only run in the first inning of the opener.

Newton had just three hits at the plate. Chassidy Henwood and Kya Butler doubled and Jazlynn Cooper also had a hit.

Kallie VanKley pitched well in the circle but took the loss. She is now 4-2 after allowing one earned run on four hits with three walks and one hit batter in six innings.

The Cardinals (6-5, 2-3) were held to two hits and had three errors in the nightcap.

The Warriors scored all six runs in the first three innings. There were no runs scored in the fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh innings of either game.

The two hits from Newton came from Hailey Sumpter and Chloe Swank.

Katelyn Lambert walked once, was hit by a pitch and stole a base. Butler and Cooper each walked once.

Nevara Gray (2-3) started in the circle and took the loss after allowing five earned runs on eight hits with three strikeouts, two walks and one hit batter in 2 2/3 innings.

Sumpter tossed 3 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit with two strikeouts.

“We have to hit the ball and score runs,” Leiker said. “The defense will give a team a shot to win but you have to get on the board. Sometimes it’s not your night, but it’s how you come to the ballpark the next night that tells the story of a true competitor. The girls are getting better. They need to just trust in their abilities and we will be just fine.”

Newton plays PCM at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in Newton.