.png){kind=small}
Newts Sweep Sluggers in Sloppy Series
[Parts of this article have been altered from it's original publishing. Visit ncnewts.com for the full report.]
SOUTH BEND - Rainy conditions created a sloppy track at Scottsdale Stadium on Sunday afternoon. But the New Carlisle Newts (5-4) were able to avoid falling victim to the muddy quagmire, sweeping the Sluggers (2-7), 15-10, 6-5 (F/7), and 2-0.
In the series opener, the Newts offense showed its first signs of life in the 2019 season. New Carlisle pounded out a season-high 20 hits to support starting pitcher Matt Soos, who picked up the win on the mound.
The Newts got out to an 8-0 lead before allowing seven runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. However, New Carlisle answered right back with seven runs of their own in the fifth to regain the cushion.
Every Newt homered in the game, led by Scott Soos who hit four. Koby Keck added three, while Matt Soos and Garrett Curless each hit a pair.
Catcher Sean Touhey also got in on the action, leading off New Carlisle's big fifth inning with the first of four consecutive solo shots to begin the rally.
Curless pitched the final two frames to pick up the save.
In game two, Curless remained on the mound as the starting pitcher. He also led the offensive charge, hitting three home runs and driving in five of the Newts' six runs.
With the game tied at three in the sixth inning, Scott Soos launched a two-out solo home run to give the Newts a 4-3 advantage.
New Carlisle was unable to hold the lead in the bottom half, as a Dan Marino single scored Tyler Schupert to tie the game and send the Newts to their third extra inning game of the year.
In the seventh, Matt Soos led off with a single and two batters later, Curless blasted a two-run home run to give the Newts the lead yet again. After allowing the Sluggers to get one run back, Curless slammed the door to seal the victory.
In the finale, Scott Soos flirted with perfection on the mound, retiring the first 13 batters he faced. Adam Cseh broke up the no-hitter with a single to right field with one out in the bottom of the fifth. Soos scattered two more hits the the rest of the way for the complete game shutout.
With the excellent outing by Soos on the mound, a lead-off home run by Curless on the first pitch of the game was all the run support the Newts would need. Keck added another solo shot in the fifth as insurance.
The sweep marked New Carlisle's first series victory of the season, and the Newts will return home to Migley Field on Sunday, May 26 to face division foe Lynn Street (4-5). First pitch is scheduled for 1:20pm ET.
Scottsdale has now been swept in two consecutive weeks following their week one victory over Saugany Lake. Despite Adam Cseh's league-leading 22 home runs and 28 RBI's, the Sluggers find themselves in last place in the NL West, 7 games back of first.
Next week Scottsdale will return to the road following a less-than-ideal 0-6 home stand. The Sluggers will take on division foe Elkhart (6-3) on Sunday, May 26th.
