NEWTON — The Marshalltown baseball team suffered its first loss of the season, dropping a 12-5 game at Newton on Tuesday night.

Bobcat pitching issued seven walks and eight hit batsmen, helping the Cardinals (1-2) collect their first win of the year.

“Our pitching was not near what it was last week,” said MHS head coach Colton Hanke. “We cannot afford to give up free bases and we gave up 15 by walk or hit by pitch tonight. We battled back some in the top of the fourth, but again, way too many free bases given up.”

Newton scored at least once in its first five at-bats, getting four runs in the second, three in the third and three more in the fourth.

Marshalltown (3-1) closed to within 8-5 after a five-run fourth. Tayven Dutton was hit by a pitch, Aiden Holmgren walked, Zander Stupp singled, and JJ Schoenfelder drove in two and scored on a double-turned-little league home run. Back-to-back singles by Madden Martin and Garrett Thede drove in Luke Stalzer to bring the Bobcats within three. All four MHS hits came in the fourth inning against Newton reliever Creighton Andrew.

Derek Wermager hit a three-run homer to lead the Cardinals, who had just five hits. Starting pitcher Gabe Otto struck out six of the eight batters he faced for the win.

Holmgren took the loss, allowing five runs — four earned — on two hits, three walks and three hit batsmen, striking out one.

The Bobcats are back at home Friday to face Grundy Center.

Marshalltown softball shut out in opener

NEWTON — The Marshalltown softball team surrendered just one run but couldn’t match it, falling 1-0 at Newton on Tuesday to begin the new season.

The host Cardinals (1-0) scored their lone run in the bottom of the first inning as Brooklynn Britton led off with a single, stole second, advanced on a passed ball and scored on Chloe Swank’s sacrifice fly.

Marshalltown pitcher Briley Danielson surrendered just three singles and one walk but took the loss, striking out two.

Newton’s Leileigh Hammons scattered three hits and two walks in the shutout performance, striking out seven.

Kate Sandvick, Aubree Mundt and Danielson had the Bobcats’ three hits, but MHS was unable to advance a single runner as far as third base.

Marshalltown’s road swing to start the season continues with Wednesday’s doubleheader at Des Moines East.