All-Conference Honors Celebrate Newton’s Baseball Breakthrough
The Little Hawkeye Conference recently unveiled its all-conference baseball teams, and the Newton Cardinals celebrated a historic milestone. For the first time in school history, five players from Newton earned all-conference recognition, underscoring the program’s rapid rise.
Sophomore Aaden Grimm paced the Cardinals with a .414 batting average and a .460 on-base percentage, topping the conference in hits and doubles while ranking among the leaders in total bases and RBIs. His performance earned him a first-team selection.
Joining Grimm on the second team were senior infielder Gabe Otto, who posted a .340 average and a .478 on-base rate, and junior pitcher Dakota Winkleman, who logged a 2.66 ERA over 29 innings and led the league in innings pitched and starts. Both players contributed key offensive and defensive stats that helped shape the team’s success.
Seniors Lane Rozendaal and Mason Mendez added depth with solid batting lines of .309 and .320 respectively, each tying for top positions in doubles and RBI categories. Their on-base percentages of .406 and .435 highlighted disciplined hitting approaches.
The Cardinals finished tied for fifth in the conference standings, a respectable finish that coincided with Indianola’s run to the Class 4A state championship, where multiple all-conference honorees emerged. The recognition reflects a growing competitiveness within the Little Hawkeye Conference.
Looking Ahead
With a core of award-winning players returning next season, Newton’s baseball program is poised to build on this momentum. Coach expectations are rising, and the community anticipates further achievements on the diamond.