No. 3 New London shuts down Highland

NEW LONDON — The New London baseball team has faced 20 challenges so far this season, and the third-ranked team in Class 1A has turned away every single one.

On Friday night, the Tigers had one of their toughest tests yet. Highland was in town for a Southeast Iowa Super Conference crossover game, but once again New London stood tall. The Tigers knocked off the Huskies, 10-0 in five innings.

New London’s Tucker Gibbar turns a home-to-first double play to keep Highland scoreless during the Tigers’ 10-0 win on Friday night. (Andy Krutsinger/The Union)

New London’s Brendan Richey went head to head with Highland ace Chase Schultz on the hill, and it was Richey that enjoyed early run support.

The Tigers scored one run in the bottom of the first on a Tucker Gibbar RBI single. In the second, New London capitalized when the Huskies committed a costly error on a bases-loaded situation, scoring two.

In all, the Tigers scored four runs in the second frame to take an early 5-0 lead.

New London’s Camden Kasel sprints home to score a run during the Tigers’ 10-0 win over Highland on Friday night. (Andy Krutsinger/The Union)

“It really helps as a pitcher,” Richey said about the early runs. “That really gets my confidence up, and it really gets our team going too.”

The Huskies had a shot in the top of the third. Highland had the bases loaded with one out, but a bouncer to Richey on the mound turned into a home-to-first double play to end the inning.

Highland’s Chase Schultz throws a pitch during the Huskies’ loss at New London on Friday night. (Andy Krutsinger/The Union)

Ryan Richey got the Tigers started again with an RBI triple in the fifth. That would spark a five-run New London fifth, which ended the game two frames early.

“These guys are such a joy to coach,” said New London’s Brad Helmerson. “Our one-through-nine battling lineup is pretty brutal. Anybody can hit it with the best of them.”

Ryan Richey finished the night 3-for-3 with an RBI triple. Kooper Schulte and Dereck Santiago each knocked in two runs. Josh Catala went 2-for-3, and Gibber and Seth Bailey each knocked in one run.

Highland’s Luke Miller rises to throw out a runner at first on Friday in New London. (Andy Krutsinger/The Union)

Brenden Richey threw four shutout innings, giving up five hits and three walks, while striking out three. Schultz took the loss on the mound for the Huskies. Ethan Paisley came in for relief.

New London moved to 20-0 with the win. Highland still sports a nice record, at 17-3.