SOUTH BEND - After a rough 2-7 start to the 2023 campaign, the New Carlisle Newts (13-11) have seemingly turned their season around. New Carlisle went on the road Sunday afternoon and defeated the National League-leading Twin Branch Billy Goats (18-6) in two of three games, 19-7, 14-2, and 12-15.
In the opener the teams exchanged runs in the first inning, and the Goats actually took a 3-1 lead after two. However, the third inning was the Newts biggest of the season. New Carlisle hit eight home runs in the frame, scoring 13 runs and putting the game out of reach.
It was a multi-home run effort for every Newt in the lineup. Garrett Curless and Tyler Shupert led the way with three each. Matt Soos, Sean Touhey, JP Kehoe, and Kody Webb all contributed a pair.
The Newts stayed hot in the second game, but the real story was the gem spun by Curless on the mound. Curless was the pitcher of record for all three games in the series, and he turned in a beauty in game two. A late two-run shot by Keigan White in the bottom of the sixth broke up the shut-out effort.
Curless also went five for six at the plate with a home run. Kehoe drove in five of the Newts runs on three long balls, while Soos and Koby Keck each homered twice.
New Carlisle fell short of the sweep in the finale, playing from behind the entire contest. The Goats put up six on a gassed Curless in the first inning. Kehoe provided some relief on the mound, as the Newts climbed back into it. The two led the offensive production as well, each hitting three home runs.
It was the third consecutive series win for the Newts. New Carlisle has gone 11-4 since the disastrous start. The Newts wrap a nine-game road trip next Sunday at the Glen Lee Skeeters (13-11). First pitch is scheduled for 1pm ET.
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