NEWTON — The East Marshall softball team ended a six-inning scoreless streak with the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth, beating Class 4A No. 14 Newton 2-1 on Friday night.

The Mustangs (21-9) scored their first run in the top of the second inning to tie the score at 1-all, and they got the go-ahead tally in the ninth. Miyah Grabenbauer reached with a one-out single and scored on Peyton Grabenbauer’s two-out double to left.

Peyton Grabenbauer retired the Cardinals in order in the bottom half, including two of her 15 strikeouts.

Taylor Halverson singled and scored on an error when Sophia Adkins singled in the second to bring the Mustangs back to a tie after Newton (20-12) took the lead in the bottom of the first. Mack Sims worked a full-count walk for the Cardinals and then scored after a throwing error on Sloan Broderson’s sacrifice bunt.

Newton managed just one more hit over the next eight innings, advancing only one runner to third, before East Marshall broke the tie in the ninth.

Miyah and Peyton Grabenbauer both had two hits, as did Libby Atcher, as the Mustangs totaled 10 hits against Leileigh Hammons. Taylor and Reagan Halverson both singled, as did Adkins and pinch-hitter Addi Cole.

Hammons allowed one earned run on one walk with three strikeouts. Peyton Grabenbauer allowed just two singles but walked six while striking out 15.

East Marshall opens Class 2A Region 8 play with a home quarterfinal against either Central Springs or West Fork on Wednesday in LeGrand.

Trojans trample Pella Christian

PELLA — The West Marshall baseball team closed the regular season with its third win in a row, roughing up Pella Christian 21-2 in four innings last Wednesday night.

The Trojans (18-12) scored 10 runs in the top of the second inning to take command and added a seven-spot in the third. Pella Christian (3-28) issued a combined 18 walks and hit batsmen.

Beckham DeSotel was 2-for-3 with two doubles and five RBIs to lead the West Marshall attack, while Evan Siegert was 1-for-1 with a double, three walks, four RBIs and four runs scored. Hunter Polley had two hits, two RBIs and two runs scored, and Karver Christensen was 2-for-3 with a double, a run and two RBIs.

Drake Whitaker added a double, a run and three RBIs as the only Trojan starter not to take a walk.

Christensen pitched all four innings for West Marshall, allowing one earned run on no hits but four walks while striking out two.

The Trojans open Class 2A District 13 play with a home game Tuesday against either South Hardin or Sumner-Fredericksburg.