COVINGTON, Ga. — In the second game of a doubleheader against South Gwinnett, the Newton Rams came out on top in dominant fashion with a 15-0 win on April 14. The win completed Newton’s season sweep of the Comets and officially stamped its ticket to the Class 7A playoffs. 

Throughout this season, first-year head coach Derwin McNealy has seen a constant progression by his team. 

“We still have a lot to learn,” McNealy said. “But I am glad we were able to put the ball in play and do better hitting with runners in scoring position.” 

Newton’s game two starter on the mound was Miguel Barbis. Despite letting four batters reach on walks, Barbis held the Comets hitless through three full innings. Barbis struck out five in the appearance as well. 

The Rams’ bats did not take long to heat up, as they put the pressure on South Gwinnett early.

Collin Brightwell’s walk to open the bottom of the first was just the beginning of what would become a nine-run inning for the Rams.

With the bases loaded and no outs, an error by the Comets’ right fielder allowed one run to score. Caden Brown took the next pitch up the middle for an RBI single.

After two more runs scored on an error and a wild pitch, Lorenzo Palmer cleared the bases with a two-run single to put the Rams up 6-0 with no outs in the inning. 

The Rams recorded three consecutive RBI singles to make it a 9-0 lead before the Comets got the third out of the inning.

After Barbis struck out the side, the Rams continued to add more runs in the second with Brown scoring on an error followed by a two-run single from Braden Ellis.

Before the Comets could escape another nightmare inning, two more Rams scored on a wild pitch to make it a 13-0 Newton lead going into the top of the third.

The Comets’ struggles continued into the third inning where two more wild pitches scored a run each.

With a 15-0 Rams lead after three innings, the umpires called the game off due to the mercy rule. 

Now, the Rams will set their sights this week on a three-game region series against Brookwood. 

The winner of the series will claim the No. 3 seed out of Region 4-AAAAAAA. 

McNealy believes his team can contend with the Broncos, too. 

“I really want them to compete in this upcoming series [against Brookwood],” McNealy said. 

“If we compete well and play our best baseball…that will help us go into the postseason.”