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Newts Right at Home in Return to The Palace
NEW CARLISLE - Last week's heavy rains left Sin City Field a muddy mess, forcing the Sage Road Sinners (0-15) to move Sunday's series to a neutral site, The Palace of Bourissa Hills.
The New Carlisle Newts made themselves right at home, sweeping the Sinners, 12-0, 39-7, 22-1.
Despite the wind blowing in, the Newts (11-4) pounded out 104 hits over the three-game series in their first trip to The Palace since 2015. Now the home of the American League's Wildcards, the t-ball field is the birthplace of wiffleball in New Carlisle dating back to the mid-1990's.
It was a milestone day for the franchise's longest-tenured players, as Garrett Curless collected his 600th career ORWBL hit in the series opener, while manager Koby Keck got his 700th in game two.
Curless and Keck rank fourth and second respectively on the all-time career hits list. However, it should be noted that statistics weren't kept in the first three seasons of their careers.
A week after his near-perfect game against the Leprechauns, Scott Soos took the mound for the series opener. He promptly gave up a hit to the first batter he faced, Trae Kowalski. However, Soos settled into his dominant self to allow just one more hit the rest of his five-inning outing.
In the second game, New Carlisle allowed 13 hits and at least one run in each inning, which normally would spell disaster. The vintage Newts defense showed itself behind Curless, throwing the ball around the diamond. At one point, the Sinners scored a runner from first base on a foul pop-out... behind first base.
Fortunately for Curless, the lineup provided plenty of run support. Every Newt recorded at least seven hits in the game, led by Matt Soos's perfect 10 for 10 effort.
Both Soos brothers, along with Zarek Finley, each hit two home runs through the wind. Sean Touhey, who went 8 for 10 in the game, added a tape measure shot onto Meridian Street.
In the finale, the Newts kept up their torrid pace with another 32 hits en route to a 22-1 victory. Curless went yard three times, while Scott Soos went 7 for 8 to improve his season batting average to .612.
On the mound, Touhey shut out the Sinners for five innings, allowing just two hits.
New Carlisle returns home to Migley Field on Sunday, June 9 to face the Maple City Magic (14-1) in the lone interleague series of the year. First pitch is slated for 1:20pm ET.
