By Matt DeWalt
Jacksonville native Landon Newton pitched nine strong innings and helped the Lon Morris College Bearcats baseball team get a 6-4 win and a two-game split with the Paris Junior College Dragons at Bearcats Field Wednesday afternoon.
Newton was hit on the leg by a line drive with two men out and a runner on first base in the top of the ninth inning of the second game. He tried to recover and get the out at first base, but was unable to complete the play, putting PJC runners at first and second base. After a visit from LMC head coach Josh Stewart, Newton refused to leave the game with a complete-game win just one out away. He got two quick strikes on the final batter before the runner on second base attempted to steal third and was thrown out by Bearcats catcher Cy Williams to seal the win.
Newton had a rough start, allowing four runs on seven hits in the first two innings. After the Bearcats (14-25) countered with one run in the first inning and three runs in the second inning to tie the game 4-4, Newton settled in and shut down the Dragons (28-16) offense.
Newton scattered seven hits over the final seven innings, and thanks to solid defensive play by the Bearcats, never allowed a runner past second base after the second inning.
LMC was unable to add to its lead in the third and fourth innings, but added two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning thanks to three consecutive bunt singles.
Allen Mitchell reached first base on an error to start the inning and later scored after base hit bunts by John Paul Rebulcaba, Williams and Miguel Ruiz. Andy Sauter followed Ruiz and flied out to left field. Rebulcaba, who was on third base, was thrown out at the plate attempting to score on the play, and the Bearcats were left with two outs and runners at first and second base. Josh McDonald added the second run of the inning with a single to score Williams from second base, giving LMC a 6-4 lead.
Paris Junior College 10, Lon Morris College 1 (7 inn.)
Game 1
The Bearcats lost the first game of the double-header despite starting pitcher Sauter holding the Dragons hitless through the first three innings of play.
PJC finally got to Sauter in the fourth inning with four runs on five hits, including a solo home run and a two-run double.
LMC managed a run in the bottom of the fifth inning when Ruiz, who finished 3-for-4 in the game, singled to score Rebulcaba to make the score 4-1.
Sauter surrendered another run in the top of the sixth inning to give the Dragons a 5-1 lead, before giving way to Josh Paul in the seventh inning. Paul struggled in his only inning of work, as PJC was able to score five runs on four hits and two errors in the top of the seventh to put the game out of reach.
Williams, who caught both games for LMC, lead the Bearcats at the plate, finishing 5-for-7 with five singles and two runs scored on the day. Ruiz finished 4-for-8 with four singles and two RBI. Rebulcaba also recorded four hits, finishing 4-for-5 with four singles, two RBI and a run scored. He also reached on an error.
PJC was led offensively by Craig Corriston who finished the day 5-for-8 with a home run, a double, three singles and an RBI. He also reached on an error.
The Bearcats play at Northeast Texas Community College at noon, Saturday.
Lon Morris College 6,
Paris Junior College 4 (9 inn.) Game 2
PARIS 310 000 000 — 4 14 3
LON MORRIS 130 002 00x — 6 11 1
Kratz, Firth (6), Wilschetz (8) and Burns; Newton and Williams. W — Newton. L — Kratz. 2b — (PJC) Apfel, Collins; (LMC) Beene. SB — (LMC) Williams. CS — (PJC) Robey.
Paris Junior College 10,
Lon Morris College 1 (7 inn.) Game 1
PARIS 000 401 5 — 10 11 1
LON MORRIS 000 010 0 — 1 8 2
Martin, Smith (6) and Combs; Sauter, Paul (7) and Williams. W — Martin. L — Sauter. HR — (PJC) Corriston, Merrill. 2b — (PJC) Combs (2), Corriston. SB — (PJC) Dusek. CS — (LMC) Williams.
