FAIR GROVE, Mo. — East Newton’s 2022 baseball season ended with a 3-0 setback to Fair Grove on Tuesday in the sectional round of the Class 3 state tournament.
The Patriots, who were in the sectional round for the first time in program history, conclude the season with a record of 12-14.
Ranked second by the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association, Fair Grove (25-2) advanced to the quarterfinals round, where they’ll host top-ranked Springfield Catholic (16-10) on Thursday.
Fair Grove pitcher Jaxon Rowden delivered a masterful performance, as the junior limited the Patriots to one hit.
Rowden, who struck out 11, needed only 65 pitches to secure the complete-game shutout victory.
East Newton’s Easton Schrader threw well in defeat. Schrader gave up one earned run on three hits and a walk while striking out seven in six innings.
Will Eichelberger had East Newton’s lone hit.
The Eagles plated the game’s first run in the fourth, as Kade Gallion was hit by a pitch and Kyle Fritts walked before Garin Geitz delivered an RBI double to center.
The score held up until the sixth, when Fair Grove added a pair of insurance runs.
Logan Daniels doubled and Gallion was plunked. Both runners scored on an error for a 3-0 lead.
The run support was plenty for Rowden, who struck out two of three batters in the seventh to seal the win.
The Patriots graduate just two seniors, Schrader and Zackary Jordon.
