Newton Seniors split with Pratt

The Newton Senior Knights split a doubleheader Thursday at Pratt.

Newton lost the first game 4-3 and won the nightcap 8-7.

In the first game, Newton jumped to a 3-1 lead in the first three innings, but Pratt scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth and held the Knights off.

Cody Arellano took the loss for Newton in relief of Evan Thomas. Jody Bonczyk went two for three hitting with an RBI.

In the second game, Newton took a 7-3. A four-run bottom of the sixth tied the game, but Newton scored in the top of the seventh for the win.

Baxter Schmidt got the win in relief of Gabe Lujano. Alex Koerner got the save. Bonczyk went two for three hitting. Lee Voth-Gaeddert went two for four. Bonczyk and Lujano drove in two runs each. Voth-Gaeddert had a double and a triple.

“I’m glad we were able to come away with the split tonight,” Newton manager Mark George said. “I felt like we lost to an inferior team. I’ll take the blame for the loss. I took us out of our routine a little. This was a long trip and we got there about an hour earlier than we usually do. I was disappointed that Gabe Lujano didn’t get the win in the second game. He pitched really well this year and hasn’t always had the defense backing him up. He hasn’t had a lot of opportunities. He still has a good attitude.”

Newton is 14-7 and plays the Andover Trojans at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Andover.

First game

Newton 102 000 0 —3 6 3

Pratt 010 030 x —4 4 2

Thomas, Arellano (L) 5 and Jerde; Pratt battery na.

Second game

Newton 020 221 1 —8 8 5

Pratt 102 004 0 —7 11 3

Lujano, Schmidt (W) 6, Koerner (S) 7 and Jerde; Angood, na (L) and Thies.