Published on May 28, 2025 9:56 am
Last Updated on May 28, 2025 10:03 am
BY MILLIE LANGE
VANDALIA — Newton High School trailed Gillespie in the Class 2A Vandalia Softball Sectional by a 2-0 count through the first three innings Tuesday.
The Eagles came back with a run in the bottom of the fourth to pull within 2-1 but Gillespie scored again in the top of the fifth to lead 3-1. Newton then tallied a run in the bottom of the fifth to again pull within a run.
Newton tied the game in the bottom of the seventh when Avery Mulvey singled to left field. Audrie Reich laid down a sacrifice bunt. Allie Hermann then hit a line drive to left field scoring Mulvey from second.
The Eagles then scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth to pull out the 5-3 victory. With one out, Allie Stanley singled with a hard hit off the pitcher’s leg. Stanley then stole second. A ground out was the first of the inning and Stanley remained at second. With two outs, Mulvey hit a walk-off home run and the Eagles celebrated the victory.
Newton outhit the Miners by a 9-7 count. Mulvey had a good game from the plate with three singles and two RBI. Bailee Frichtl had a double and an RBI. Stanley finished with two singles and Lexie Ghast had a single and drove in a run.
Amelia Collins went the eight innings on the mound. She gave up three runs on seven hits, two walks while striking out two.
Newton will now head to the sectional championship game Friday at 4 p.m. and face Columbia. Columbia was a 3-1 winner over Robinson in the opening game Tuesday.
Class 2A Vandalia Sectional
Gillespie 200 010 00 — 3-7-1
Newton 000 110 12 — 5-9-0
WP — Collins. LP — Sholtis.
Gillespie — Parish, home run, 1 RBI; Taylor, single; Sholtis, double, home run, 2 RBI; Rakers, 2 singles; Wright, single
Newton — Stanley, 2 singles; Frichtl, double, 1 RBI; Mulvey, 3 singles, 2 RBI; Reich, single; Hermann, single; Ghast, single, 1 RBI