2014 Newton Reds Win 25+ in Mid-Iowa Baseball League

Mid-Iowa Baseball League 25+ Division

Newton Reds 5, Iowa Oaks 4

Submitted by Bobby ‘B-Dub’ Williams, Reds manager

The 25+ Newton Reds entered the Mid-Iowa Baseball League 25+ year end tournament looking to add their first 25+ tournament title to veteran Manager Bobby Williams’ impressive coaching resume. They started off the tournament with an exciting 7-6 walk off win against the Des Moines Red Sox with Ryan Comer picking up the win in relief. Day two of the tournament the 25+ Newton Reds were led by Will Scholer’s performance on the mound and at the plate. In a 4-2 win against the Des Moines Monarchs, Scholer picked up the win on the hill going all seven innings allowing only two runs. Tyler Williams had a hit and a couple RBIs in the Reds victory. Reds manager Bobby Williams rode the hot hand in game two and Scholer did not disappoint, throwing another complete game, and adding in a long two run homer to supply all the offense the Reds would need to defeat the Des Moines Oaks 4-1.

Veteran lefty David Case took the mound for the Reds in what was to be the championship game in this tournament, being opposed by hard throwing lefty Jason McPherson of the Des Moines Oaks. The Oaks jumped on the board in the first inning with three runs giving the Reds an early deficit to overcome. They extended the lead to 4-0 in the fourth inning, but would not tally another run for the rest of the game. The Reds started their comeback with a single tally in the sixth inning on an RBI ground out by veteran catcher Jon Williams. In the eighth inning after two-out singles by Chris Schakel, Tyler Williams, and Jon Williams plated the second Reds run, David Case came through with a crucial game tying two-run double knotting the score at four each.

On to extra innings we go, as the Reds bullpen led by Ryan Comer and Damian Imhoff shut the Oaks out for eight innings after they scored their fourth run in the fourth inning. Every inning was high stress for the Reds as they allowed runners to reach scoring position in every inning of the game, but with great plays on defense all over the field, were able to avoid any serious damage after the first inning. Outfielder Cody Neef drove in the go ahead run for the Reds in the top of the 12th and the 25+ Newton Reds walked away from the tournament with their first title. Helping his team to victory in the dugout and at the plate Bobby Williams reached base a couple times with a single and a HBP. The Reds were also led on offense by Chris Schakel’s three hits, while David Case added two hits including the game tying double. Will Scholer and David Case were named co-MVPs of the Reds 25+ tournament championship for their performance in helping the Reds to victory.