Newton softball downs Indianola on Senior Night

Indianola scored first and out-hit the Newton softball team during a Little Hawkeye Conference game on Thursday.

But Mack Sims’ three-run home run in the Cardinals’ four-run second frame proved to be the difference and Hailey Sumpter shut down the Indians the rest of the way during a 4-2 home win on Senior Night.

“It was a special night on Senior Night,” Newton head softball coach Kory Leiker said. “We got timely hits and played solid defense. Mack’s three-run homer sealed the deal.”

Sumpter was one of four seniors recognized before the game. She earned the win in the circle and walked once at the plate.

Sims stole the show offensively for the Cardinals. Her one hit was a three-run blast to left-center field and she also was hit by a pitch and stole her team-leading 21st base.

Newton won the game with just two hits but was given five free passes by Indianola starting pitcher Ava Tichy, who allowed no earned runs in her six innings of work.

Indianola (16-17, 9-9 in the LHC) scored both of its runs in the first, but the Cardinals rallied with four in the second.

It was the first series win over the Indians since the two teams started playing three times a year back in 2017. Newton got its first two wins over Indianola since at least 2010.

Sloan Brodersen got the Cardinals’ other hit, while Sumpter and Haylie Ryan both walked. Paige Benson and Ava Williams were hit by pitches and Brodersen, Benson and Ryan all scored one run.

Sumpter (10-10) got the win in the circle after allowing two earned runs on six hits, one walk and one hit batter in seven innings. She struck out one and lowered her earned run average to 3.28.

Sumpter, Ryan, Kadance Ahn and Peyton Durr were the four seniors recognized before the game. Ahn returned to the lineup after missing three games with a knee injury.

Indianola, which defeated Class 5A No. 4 Ankeny Centennial and 5A No. 9 Des Moines Roosevelt, on Friday, was led by Katie Fosenburg’s two hits, one run and one RBI.

Sims now leads the Cardinals (14-13, 7-11) with six homers, 70 total bases and a .471 batting average.

Her .553 on-base percentage ranks 10th in 4A and she sits fifth with 39 runs and eighth with 21 steals.