CCS Prep League: Newman routs State Farm for second straight win

NEW ORLEANS – After starting the season 0-2 against reigning Class 3A state champion Lutcher, Newman has cranked out two straight wins now after a 7-0 victory over Ascension Catholic-based State Farm Monday afternoon at Avenger Field in Crescent City Sports Prep Summer League action.

After both sides put up three scoreless frames, Newman broke through with four runs in the bottom of the fourth, capped off by a three-run-homerun by Will Zurik that grazed the right field wall and went over it.

Newman had a stellar offensive performance, finishing with seven runs on eight hits, but the story of the game was the performance by starting pitcher Alexander Groome.

The senior right-hander’s command was shaky in the first inning, walking three of the first five batters he saw, but Groome settled in, retiring the next 13 batters and finishing two outs away from a no hitter.

Groome finished the day throwing 6 1/3 innings, striking out 10 and giving up only one hit while issuing five walks. Everett Ott came on in relief to get the final two outs after Groome surrendered his ffirst hit in the top of the sixth.

For State Farm, it was a struggle generating any sort of offense after stranding three runners in the first inning. Starter Cullen Nolan took the loss, giving up four of his five earned runs in the fourth inning.

Mace Melancon relieved Nolan Melancon and did not give up a hit, but a couple of errors grouped with a walk and back-to-back hit batters led to the final two runs coming across for Newman in the bottom of the sixth. State Farm stranded seven runners.

The win marked Newman’s second win in a row improving their early CCSL record to 2-2, but for Head Coach Patrick Adams, the teams priority isn’t solely about their record.

“We don’t really worry too much about wins and losses,” Adams said. “We worry about more of getting these guys reps, and evaluating them to see where we are for next season.”

Coach Adams also detailed at the benefit of the Crescent City Sports Prep Summer League for his team compared to their old Summer format.

“Playing teams that are bringing back guys that are graduated seniors and freshman, you know you always want to play good competition, but you’re playing more your competition for the upcoming season next year,” Adams said. “This is really good for development.”

Newman returns to action against Brother Martin-based K’s for Kids Tuesday while State Farm will travel to Chalmette to take on Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Tuesday.

FINAL
SF 000 000 0 — 0 1 3, 7 LOB
NM 000 412 X — 7 8 0, 7 LOB
WP—Alexander Groome
LP—Cullen Nolan
SB—Collin Brown, Grayson Gallinghouse, IV Guillot, Turner Crawford
2B—Tucker Joseph-2
HR—Will Zurik