It was a grinder that started over an hour late, but the Newton Rams generated enough at the plate early, and got a solid performance on the pitching mound down the stretch from Carl Thomas to generate a 4-3 win over Tucker. 

Newton stormed out of the gate fast with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning to take an early 2-0 lead, but after being shutout in the top of the first, Tucker came back with a 3-run second inning to to gain a one-run advantage. But Newton’s two-run bottom of the second, which began with a Buck Sullivan double, gave the Rams all they needed offensively to secure their second straight win. 

Thomas threw a complete game, giving up the three runs, but also striking out five. Marcus Smith was Newton’s most consistent bat. His three hits and a run scored helped push the offense against a stingy Tucker squad. Khalil Wilcox also had a hit and scored, and Parker Kauffman aided with a sac fly that brought in a run. 

Newton (5-3) now starts a four game road stand Wednesday with a 5:30 game at Stephenson. The Rams will then travel to Pickens for a Saturday doubleheader against Murray County and Pickens, and will face Hapeville Charter on March 10 before coming back home on March 13 for its first region contest against Archer.