Newton’s postseason baseball run came to a close Saturday, but not before the Eagles delivered an impressive regional performance that included a dominant shutout victory over Robinson and a hard-fought battle against Effingham.
Newton opened regional play on May 27 with a convincing 7-0 win over Robinson at Evergreen Park. Carson Barthelme tossed a complete-game shutout, leading the Eagles on the mound while the offense piled up 11 hits.
Dominic Baltzell paced the attack with a three-hit performance, collecting singles in the first, third, and fourth innings. Drake Wolf, Maddox Horner, and Quincy Fulton each added multiple hits as Newton built an early lead and never looked back. The Eagles were flawless defensively, committing no errors while turning a double play.
The victory advanced Newton to Saturday’s regional championship matchup against Effingham.
In the title game, the Eagles battled back from an early four-run deficit but came up just short in a 4-3 loss.
Effingham struck first with a solo home run by Max Flack in the second inning before Carter Braddy delivered the game’s biggest blow, a three-run homer in the third that gave Effingham a 4-0 advantage.
Newton refused to go away. The Eagles chipped away at the lead and eventually scored three runs, narrowing the gap to a single run. Despite drawing 13 walks and putting pressure on Effingham throughout the afternoon, Newton was unable to complete the comeback.
Dominic Baltzell, Maddox Horner, and Quincy Fulton each drove in a run for the Eagles. Reed Tharp recorded Newton’s lone hit, while Drake Wolf, Chance Mulvey, Dexter Fulton, and Quincy Fulton helped keep innings alive by reaching base multiple times.
Eli Wolf took the loss on the mound after working four innings, allowing four runs on five hits while striking out four. Newton’s defense again played solid baseball, committing no errors. Baltzell led the defensive effort with six chances and the Eagles turned another double play.
Although the season ended one game short of a regional championship, Newton finished its postseason run showing the grit, defense, and determination that carried the Eagles throughout the year.
