The Newton Eagles Varsity 2025 squad fell just short on Thursday evening, dropping a hard-fought 4–1 decision to the Richland County Varsity Tigers in extra innings.
The game remained tightly contested through the first six innings, with both teams managing only one run apiece. Richland County took an early lead in the top of the third when Cooper Hires drove in a run with a single. Newton answered in the bottom of the sixth as Dominic Baltzell knocked in the tying run with a sacrifice fly.
Deadlocked at 1–1 going into extras, the Tigers surged ahead in the top of the eighth. Owen Cycholl delivered a clutch single to drive in two runs, breaking the tie. Mattey Sanders followed with a double, extending the Richland County lead to 4–1 and sealing the win.
Gavin Root was lights-out in relief for the Tigers, earning the win with 2.1 scoreless innings. The right-hander held Newton hitless while striking out three and walking two. Hayden Mulvey took the loss for the Eagles, allowing three runs on five hits over 3.2 innings. Starter Gavin Meinhart gave a solid performance for Newton, surrendering just one run over four innings.
At the plate, Baltzell led the Eagles with an RBI, going 1-for-3, while Drake Wolf paced the offense with a 2-for-3 outing. Richland County was led by Cycholl, who went 2-for-4 and drove in two. Hires and Sanders also notched two hits each, helping fuel the Tigers’ late-game rally.
Richland County played error-free defense, with Carson Fox leading the way with 12 chances in the field.
