In a tightly contested matchup, the Richland County Varsity Tigers edged out the Newton Eagles Varsity 2025 with a 4-1 victory in eight innings on Thursday evening.
The Tigers struck first in the top of the third inning when Cooper Hires delivered a key single to put Richland County on the board. The Eagles responded in the bottom of the sixth, tying the game at one apiece on a sacrifice fly from Dominic Baltzell.
With both teams locked in a pitching duel through regulation, the Tigers broke the deadlock in the top of the eighth. Owen Cycholl came through with a clutch single, driving in two runs to give Richland County a 3-1 lead. Moments later, Mattey Sanders doubled to extend the advantage to 4-1 and seal the momentum.
Gavin Root was dominant on the mound in relief for the Tigers, earning the win with two and one-third innings of hitless, scoreless work. He struck out three and walked two. Starter Brody Redman also had a strong outing, allowing just one run on five hits over five and two-thirds innings while striking out four.
On the Newton side, Hayden Mulvey took the loss after surrendering three runs on five hits in three and two-thirds innings. Starter Gavin Meinhart kept the Eagles in the game early, giving up just one run on three hits across four innings.
Cycholl led the Tigers offensively, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Sanders and Hires also collected two hits apiece. Defensively, Richland County was flawless in the field, committing no errors. Carson Fox anchored the defense with a team-high 12 chances.
For the Eagles, Baltzell drove in the team’s lone run, while Drake Wolf paced the offense with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate.
Newton Eagles Varsity 2025 will look to bounce back in their next outing as they hit the road to face the West Vigo Vikings Varsity on Friday.
