Freshman starting pitcher Maddie Cronic threw a no-hitter for the Newton Lady Rams on Senior Night, as the varsity softball team ended their regular season Thursday night with a 12-0 win over the Lovejoy Wildcats.

The Rams’ rout began in the first inning when they took a 2-0 lead on a 2-RBI double by catcher Ashley Weesner.

The Rams added another run in the inning with an RBI single by second baseman Ashton McKinnon.

The Rams added three more runs in the second inning with a run scored by shortstop Ciera Bryan and RBI singles by McKinnon and third baseman Katy Ammons. The Rams added four more runs in the third inning, pushing their lead to 9-0 before the start of the fourth.

In the top of the fourth inning, Cronic’s no hitter appeared to be in possible jeopardy, but two back-to-back over the head catches by right fielder Cheyenne Walsingham secured it for Cronic.

“I’m very happy that she made those catches,” Cronic said. “If she doesn’t, I don’t have my no-hitter.”

The Rams secured the win in the fourth inning with two scored runs by Walsingham and Weesner. The Rams went on to win in a 12-0 shutout.

The game was Cronic’s first no-hitter during her high school career.

“It feels good because I’m young. Everyone is always telling me that I’m really good and I feel like I’m really good,” Cronic said.

Newton coach Virginia Waters also spoke very highly of her starting pitcher.

“It’s a huge deal and it says a lot for her because she’s only a freshman,” Waters said.

Prior to the game, the Rams’ players and coaching staff honored center fielder Brishanti Weaver as the team’s only senior. Weaver has played all four years with the Rams.

“It feels good,” Weaver said. “We started strong and we finished strong.”

Waters said that Weaver was a great example for her younger players this season.

“She’s the perfect example of a student athlete,” Waters said. “Grades always come first with her. She had the highest grade point average of anyone on the team last year and she still has one of the highest this year.”

The Rams will begin region postseason play the second week of October.