Newton Citizen

Photo by Howard Reed

COVINGTON -- Newton had no one to blame except itself in a 4-0 loss to Shiloh on Monday.

"Three errors, especially in a tight ball game, is always going to come back to haunt you. It gave them extra runners and they were able to capitalize on them," said Newton head coach Vincent Byams. "They had quality at-bats and that was the difference in the ball game."

The Rams had plenty of chances to score but could never get a hit when they had runners in scoring position.

In the third inning, trailing 3-0, the Rams had runners on first and second base with no outs. But that opportunity quickly disappeared after Newton hit into a double play.

The Rams looked like they were going to get on the scoreboard in the fourth inning but a soft grounder to the Shiloh second baseman ended that threat.

Its last true threat came in the fifth inning when Newton had runners on the corners with one out. But that turned out to be nothing when a strikeout and a high pop-fly in the infield ended the inning.

"We had our opportunities, but we didn't cash in on them when we had runners in scoring position," Byams said.

Newton had four hits in the game but it could not get them consecutively or with runners in a position where it could take advantage and score.

Getting hits for Newton were Alan Bowen, Daniel Croom, Dez Billingslea and Yorel James.

On the mound, Tripp Loftin pitched a complete game with six strikeouts, one walk and seven hits.

Getting two hits for the Generals were Michael Houchin and Cletis Avery with Houchin and BJ Armstead going for doubles.

"Tripp Loftin gave us an excellent effort on the mound," Byams said. "He gave us an effort good enough to win a high school ballgame."

The Rams will be back on the field today at 5:30 p.m. against Lakeside- DeKalb with their first Region 2-AAAAA game being played at M.L. King at 5 p.m. on Friday.