The home plate umpire called the game early on Monday evening, 11-1, as the Newton varsity softball team defeated the Griffin Lady Bears in five innings.

The Lady Rams (16-8, 4-2 Region 2-AAAAA) capitalized on timely hitting and several miscues by the Lady Bears' (3-8, 1-0 Region 4-AAAA) defense throughout the game, consistently having runners on base.

Newton pitcher Holly "Hollywood" Springer took the mound for the Lady Rams and pitched all five innings, allowing only one run while picking up the victory.

According to Newton head coach Jason LaChapelle, "Holly came out and did a good job. She got a little behind in the count a couple times, but she was able to pull it out and come through with a win with some good pitches. She did a good job with it."

Newton's first run crossed the plate during the bottom of the second inning after a dropped pop fly, scoring Kierstie Moon who previously walked and Ashley Anthony who was on second with a double.

During the next inning, Newton's Shay Marks scored Haleigh Higgins on an RBI bunt single, followed by another bunt single hit by Jasmine White. The Lady Rams continued to take advantage of holes in Griffin's defense throughout the rest of the game.

"The last time we played them we noticed some misses," said LaChapelle. "I'm all for exploiting the other teams' weaknesses, (and) we did that tonight. We did a good job staying alert on the bases and paying attention to the game. I'm proud of them."

Later in the third inning, Newton catcher Morgan Smith hit a booming two-run homer over the left field fence, scoring the fifth and sixth runs. But the Lady Bears fought back in the top of the fourth, scoring one run on an RBI single.

However, Newton's outstanding offense scored four more runs during the bottom of the fifth inning to end the game by way of the 10-run rule.

The Lady Rams have one more regular season game before heading into the Region 2-AAAAA Tournament, which begins on October 8.

LaChapelle has high hopes for his team. "I just hope they keep this up. We've got (one) more game this season, then we are going to postseason play after that. I just want them to keep hitting....They need to come out and be ready to play 110 percent."

Newton battles Monticello (4-5) at 5 p.m. tonight at the Turner Lake Recreational Complex.