Newton's baseball squad erupted in a 10‑0 triumph over Clarke, a performance that underscored the team’s depth and pitching dominance.
Gabe Otto was the centerpiece, delivering a one‑hitter while also contributing two hits at the plate, a rare combination that left Clarke’s batters scrambling.
Lane Rozendaal added three hits, fueling a lineup that compiled a total of 13 hits across the game, and the Cardinals’ offense kept the pressure on from the first inning.
The Clarke Blowout
The 10‑0 final margin stood as the largest victory over the Indians in the past three seasons, a statement that sent ripples through the local league standings.
Offensive fireworks continued as Drew Bauer, Mason Mendez, Landry Rausch and Aaden Grimm each chipped in with timely hits, while Kreytein Wickliffe drove in a run to round out the scoring.
The following night, Newton traveled to Indianola and met a different story. The Indians rallied to an 11‑2 win, powered by George Blake’s two homers and five RBIs, which shifted the momentum of the series.
Indianola out‑hit Newton 13‑5, with Zach Benge also delivering three hits and a homer of his own, while the Cardinals’ defense struggled to contain the onslaught.
A Tough Turnaround
Isaiah Slaughter managed a run, a stolen base and was hit by a pitch, showing flashes of resilience despite the deficit.
Carter Lehrman doubled and scored, but the effort was undone when Lehrman took the pitching loss after surrendering eight earned runs on ten hits and a walk.
Reliever Mason Mendez tossed the final 1 2/3 innings, giving up three earned runs on three hits and a walk, but the damage had already been done.
Overall, the Cardinals’ early dominance gave way to a stark lesson in power hitting, as the Indians’ bats proved too much to contain.