Schlarbaum, Giles shine for Newsome in Senior Night win
Newsome’s Luke Peterson scores on a Nicholas Balasko single (photo by Lily Belcher).
By Lily Belcher
Correspondent
LITHIA – The Wolves extended their winning streak to four games in a 10-4 victory over Lennard, led by seniors Jacob Schlarbaum and Matthew Giles. Newsome also celebrated Senior Night to recognize the veterans that Coach Rohrberg said could lead the team on their own.
Newsome (13-4), plagued by injuries, came into the Tuesday night game confident, but missing 15-game hitting streak senior Lucas Phelps and senior Carlos Mercado.
“We’ve been hot and we just need to stay that way,” said junior Luke Peterson, who went 2-for-2 with two RBI. “We knew we were going to see the ball well. We, unfortunately, lost two good players, but we stepped up.”
The Longhorns (13-3) came out swinging in the top of the first with sophomore Matthew Counts advancing to third before being driven in by an RBI single by senior Keith McClain. McClain scored off a bases loaded walk to give Lennard a two-run lead in the top of the first.
Newsome starting pitcher senior Jack Weber, coming off the injured list, was pulled after tossing only two-thirds of an inning and relieved by Schlarbaum.
“It’s another senior that was in front of me,” said Schlarbaum about relieving Weber. “I know it’s Senior Night and I had to help him get them out of there, get the team back up, get us back on the right track.”
Newsome senior Jacob Schlarbaum earned the win with five-plus innings of relief (photo by Lily Belcher).
Newsome answered with four runs on four hits in the home-half. Freshman Anthony DeVito hit a lead off single, followed by a quick base hit off a bunt by Giles. DeVito scored on a wild pitch and senior Caeden Diaz drove in two runners on an RBI double. A single by senior Ethan McSpadden scored Diaz, giving the Wolves a four-run first inning.
Schlarbaum pitched the bulk of the innings, holding Lennard to just two more runs in his 5 1/3 inning appearance.
While the Longhorns had tied it up in the third, Newsome’s offense prevailed, earning two more runs in the fourth, three more in the fifth, and one in the sixth. Giles, was 2-for-2, reaching base four times with a walk and a hit-by-pitch that turned into the Wolves’ sixth-inning run.
Nicholas Balasko, a junior, made his varsity debut Tuesday night, but it didn’t show as the infielder got a two RBI single to extend Newsome’s lead.
“After I got that first hit, I felt pretty good,” said Balasko. “We’ve got some great seniors, great leaders that can really push the team. Even if they’re out, they’re still there cheering everyone on.”
His offense was matched by his solid defense at second base, turning a handful of ground balls to get key outs against the Longhorns and handed Newsome their 13th win.
Both teams have games on Thursday, as Newsome will face Durant; and Lennard will host Chamberlain.
Newsome’s Ryan Spitzer scores a run (photo by Lily Belcher).
(6) Newsome 10
(7) Lennard 4
L 202|000|0 – |4|7|0
N 400|231|x – |10|9|4
W – Schlarbaum (3-0); L – Payne (1-1)
2B – Munoz (L); Peterson, Diaz (N). Records – L (13-3); N (13-4).
