Newman holds off Rummel to conclude regular season

METAIRIE – With district play completed and playoff seedings likely decided for the home team, Newman and Archbishop Rummel hooked up at Raider Park on Saturday.

On Senior Day, Rummel started all of its seniors in a class move by Frank Cazeaux.

An excellent Newman team was the senior team much of the afternoon before holding off a late rally by the Raiders in a 7-6 victory.

After seeing a four-run lead reduced to a run, Pike Philibert, the third Newman pitcher of the evening, struck out Rummel cleanup hitter Logan Bertucci looking on an excellent curve ball with the bases loaded to secure the victory.

Newman jumped on top in the top of the first inning on a double by Hayden Dolese and Sam Zurik walked. IV Guillot delivered both with a two out, two-run single to make it 2-0. Alex Bianchini followed with an RBI single to make it 3-0 against Rummel starter Gene Roth.

The Raiders responded in the bottom of the first. With two outs, Ryan Smilari singled, Bertucci doubled and Tyler Cook doubled in both, high off the fence in left field to make it 3-2 against Newman starter Watson Scriber.

The Greenies extended the lead in the top of the second on a walk to Pike Philibert, a single by Dolese and then Sam Zurik was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Guillot then produced a run with an infield single to make it 4-2.

Newman made it 5-2 in the top of the third inning on a single by Sterling Scott, a sacrifice bunt by Will Zurik, a wild pitch and an RBI groundout by Philibert to make it 5-2.

Rummel cut into the deficit in the bottom of the third on a leadoff home run by Smilari to make it 5-3.

The Greenies got the run back without a hit in the top of the fourth on two walks, a hit batter and a wild pitch to take a 6-3 lead.

Newman (21-9) made it 7-3 in the top of the fifth on a single by Philibert and an RBI double by Sam Zurik.

Rummel (17-11) pulled within a run in the bottom of the sixth inning on a home run by Louisiana Tech signee Kyle Walker and a two-run single by Logan Bertucci to make it 7-6.

Newman coach Pat Adams returned to where he played, graduating from Rummel in 1984 and he coached at Rummel from 2008-2017. Adams also had his sons graduate from Rummel in 2012.

“It was unusual playing on campus, at a place I once called home,” Adams said. “It was a good atmosphere with a field that plays different. It was certainly an adjustment. It was fun. It was a good game to finish the regular season on against a really good team in a good situation. I did like the pressure situation that we were able to get out of. I believe it may get us to the five spot in the Division III playoffs.”

After losing four straight, Newman won its last two games to enter the playoffs on a high.

“Last night was Senior Night when we beat Warren Easton and did what we needed to but beating a solid team like Rummel is a good way to go into the playoffs,” Adams said. “Being in that type of game will certainly help us, especially finishing the game.”

Rummel is likely to be the seventh seed in the Division I playoffs.

FINAL
Newman 311 110 0 — 7 9 1, 9 LOB
Rummel 201 003 0 — 6 9 0, 13 LOB
WP—Watson Scriber (4-1)
LP—Gene Roth (0-1)
Time of Game: 2:38
2B—Hayden Dolese, Jack Robert, Logan Bertucci, Tyler Cook, Lance Johnson
HR—Ryan Smilari (1), Kyle Walker (3)