Newton softball suffers first loss of season

KNOXVILLE — The Newton softball team was limited to two hits at the plate and the Cardinals committed three errors during a 5-0 non-conference road loss on Thursday.

The Cardinals fell behind 2-0 after one inning and the Panthers pulled further ahead following a three-run third.

“We played Knoxville tonight, but really we beat ourselves,” Newton head softball coach Kory Leiker said. “When you give any team extra outs, it will always be an uphill battle.”

Hailey Sumpter had one of Newton’s two hits and suffered her first loss in the circle. She allowed five runs — one earned — on eight hits with one strikeout and one hit batter in six innings.

Peyton Durr doubled at the plate, while Chloe Swank, Ava Williams and BrookLynn Britton all drew one walk. The Cardinals (2-1) were out-hit 7-2.

Knoxville (2-1) was led by Ciara Heffron, who homered and drove in four runs in the win. She also allowed no runs on two hits with six strikeouts and three walks in six innings in the circle.