Newton softball falls twice to No. 3 DCG

DALLAS CENTER — Chloe Swank and Ava Williams had a pair of hits and Mack Sims reached base twice, but the Newton softball team dropped a pair of Little Hawkeye Conference games to Dallas Center-Grimes on Wednesday.

The Cardinals were limited to one hit in the opener of a doubleheader against the Class 4A No. 3 Mustangs and then got four hits in the nightcap.

“We played better in the second game,” Newton head softball coach Kory Leiker said. “Making little mistakes against a really good team is a recipe for a loss. We need to make plays and get runs across the plate when opportunities arise.”

Newton lost 10-0 in four innings and 8-0 in six innings on the road. DCG (24-2, 15-1 in the conference) swept the season series and did not allow a run against the Cardinals (6-17, 2-15) this summer. It was the Mustangs’ 13th straight win in the series.

Swank had the team’s only hit in the opener. Sims and Williams both walked once, and Sims stole her team-leading 11th base.

Lexi Frehse (0-7) took the loss in the circle after allowing 10 runs — seven earned — on eight hits, four walks and two hit batters in three innings. She struck out one, and the Cardinals were plagued by four errors.

Williams had two hits in the nightcap to lead the offense, while Sims and Swank each had one hit.

Leileigh Hammons (6-10) took the loss in the circle. She surrendered eight runs — four earned on eight hits, two walks and one hit batter in 5 1/3 innings.

Newton’s non-conference road game against Clarke scheduled for Tuesday was canceled due to rain and will not be made up.

The Cardinals hosted Indianola on Monday, and that game was suspended in the fourth inning with the Indians leading 13-6. It will be completed at 3 p.m. on June 30.