The Newton Eagles Varsity 2025 squad came out strong and never looked back in their commanding 9-2 win over the Richland County Varsity Tigers on Monday evening.
The action got underway early, with Gavin Meinhart putting the Eagles on the board in the top of the first with a clutch RBI single. Newton added another in the second inning when a dropped third strike allowed a runner to come home, extending the lead to 2-0.
The Eagles opened things up in the third. Meinhart tagged up and scored on a fly ball before Drake Wolf stepped to the plate and delivered a bases-clearing double, driving in three and giving Newton a comfortable 6-0 lead.
Quincy Fulton added a final exclamation point in the seventh with a solo home run to left field, his second hit of the game.
On the mound, Carson Barthelme handled business for the Eagles, tossing a complete game. The right-hander allowed five hits and two runs (one earned), while striking out three and issuing two walks over seven innings of work.
Keagan Puckett took the loss for the Tigers. Despite racking up five strikeouts, he struggled with control, allowing seven runs (five earned) on five hits and five walks across 3.1 innings.
Offensively, Newton racked up nine hits in the win. Meinhart had a perfect day at the plate, going 3-for-3, while Wolf led the team with three RBIs. Fulton finished 2-for-4 with a home run and a run scored. As a team, the Eagles showed patience and discipline, drawing six walks throughout the game.
For Richland County, Mattey Sanders led the way at the plate, going 2-for-3. Brody Redman and Cooper Hires each drove in a run, and the Tigers managed to turn one double play on defense.
With the win, the Newton Eagles continue to build momentum as they head deeper into the season.
