Newton softball sweeps Iowa City Liberty

CORALVILLE — Junior Emily Valtman hit two home runs at the plate, junior Peyton Maher struck out 13 in the circle and the Class 4A No. 9 Newton softball team dominated Iowa City Liberty 13-0 during the opener of a non-conference doubleheader on Saturday.

The Cardinals swept the doubleheader when Anna Coyle pitched the visitors to a 5-1 win in the second game.

The wins improve the Cardinals to 22-4 on the season. It’s the most wins for Newton since the program won 24 back in 2009. The Cardinals have won at least 20 games four times in the past 10 years.

That 2009 team included Caitlyn Meyer, who is an assistant coach for the 2018 Cardinals.

In the opener against Iowa City Liberty (13-20), Valtman was 4-for-4 with two home runs and three RBIs.

Newton had 14 hits in the win. Senior Audrey Lucas and senior Taylor Ryan both had two hits. Lucas scored a run, junior Mackensie Brown had one hit, one run, two RBIs and one walk and senior Karley Leiker finished with one hit, one run, one RBI and two walks.

Maher earned the win in the circle as she tossed another shutout. This time, Maher allowed only two hits and walked one while fanning 13 in six innings.

The Cardinals were retired in order in the first inning, but Maher singled and then Valtman homered to put Newton on the board in the second.

Lucas and senior Harlie Durr both followed with singles. They moved up a base after a ground out and then Lucas scored on an RBI single by senior Kennedy Leiker. Brown’s RBI ground out scored Durr to make it 4-0.

In the third, Maher walked and Valtman singled to put two runners on base with one out. Junior Lakin Jenkins, who courtesy ran for Maher, stole home to make it 5-0.

The Cardinals tacked onto their lead in the sixth.

Senior Mackenzie Johnson singled with one out and then Kennedy Leiker drew a walk. Brown drove in Johnson with an RBI single and then courtesy runner Taylor Lust scored on Karley Leiker’s RBI groundout. Brown eventually scored on a passed ball.

Valtman hit her second home run in the seventh inning.

Official statistics from the game two win were unavailable at press time.

Newton hosts 5A No. 4 Indianola for a Little Hawkeye Conference doubleheader at 5:30 p.m. Monday at Newton Softball Field. The Indians beat the Cardinals 6-2 earlier this season.