Newton’s Sims earns more postseason accolades

After leading the Newton softball team in eight offensive categories, there was no question who the best player was this summer.

And the best news might be that sophomore Mack Sims has two more years to play still.

Sims led the Cardinals with a .433 batting average and her 41 runs ranked tied for 11th in Class 4A.

Those are just two statistics that prove her worth and Sims was recently named to the 4A all-state second team by the Iowa Girls Coaches Association. Before that, Sims was voted to the 4A Southeast District squad.

Two other Cardinals also earned postseason recognition. Seniors Hailey Sumpter and Haylie Ryan both were academic all-state selections by the Iowa Girls Coaches Association.

On top of her team-best batting average and team-high 41 runs, Sims ranked 20th in 4A with an on-base percentage of .516 and led Newton with 45 hits, two triples, six homers, 75 total bases and 24 steals, which ranked tied for 12th in 4A.

She ranked second on her team with 12 walks and tied for third with 18 RBIs and two hit by pitches. Her fielding percentage was .940 as she had only four errors in 67 chances this summer.

The other members of the 4A Southeast District team include Dallas Center-Grimes seniors Aubrey Johansen, Macee Reiling and Lydia Zaruba, Indianola freshman Sam Gripp and sophomore Tessa Gripp, Knoxville senior Ciara Heffron, Norwalk senior Lauren Black and juniors Carly Brewer and Nyah Hulbert, Pella senior Ava Curry and Burlington senior Saydee Plummer.

Dallas Center-Grimes head coach Steve Schlafke was the 4A Southeast District Coach of the Year.