Strong-arm tactics work to blank Bartlett

WASILLA — When David Newman entered the 2010 American Legion baseball season, the Wasilla High School incoming senior figured he’d spend most of his time in the outfield.

But late in the year, Newman has found himself starting games on the mound.

And winning.

Newman pitched a complete game shutout for the second time in as many starts and led the Alaska Road Warriors to a 3-0 win over the Bartlett post Saturday at McManus Field in Wasilla.

“I started him down there in the Kenai tournament and he threw a good game, so I figured, well, why not try him again?” Road Warriors head coach Steve Mossburgh said of Newman, who tossed a complete game shutout during an 11-0 win over Kenai last week.

Mossburgh, who honestly didn’t expect Newman to emerge as a starter, was impressed with the lefty’s performance during that victory over Kenai, his first start on the mound of the season. But even after that victory, Mossburgh wasn’t quite sure how he’d use Newman.

“I was hoping for at least a few innings late in a game or middle relief or something,” Mossburgh said.

Newman wasn’t sure either.

“I figured I’d probably not start again, maybe pitch some more relief,” Newman said. “It’s not like I expect to pitch every game or be the ace. I just want to pitch at the times they need me.”

Newman proved on Saturday that he could certainly give the Warriors an extra arm in the rotation. The southpaw allowed four hits and two walks, while fanning six during the seven-inning game.

“He came through and pitched a very good game,” Mossburgh said. “He’s the one who kept us in the game.”

Mossburgh said command was key.

“I think he just hits where he’s throwing most of the time,” Mossburgh said. “He has a lot better control this year than he ever had last year.”

Newman cruised through the Golden Bear lineup, especially early. He walked a hitter in the third and allowed consecutive singles in the fourth, but was able to strand runners on third in each inning. He didn’t get in any kind of trouble again until the seventh when the Bears loaded the bases with two outs.

After retiring the first two hitters of the final inning, Newman walked Cody Warner and allowed consecutive singles to Mike Lambert and Willie Gross. But with the bases loaded and two outs, Newman forced Bobby Adams to fly out on the first pitch.

Wes Smith, Josh Grissom and JD Mayo scored runs to give Newman just enough offensive support. Smith gave the Warriors the 1-0 lead in the second when he singled and scored on consecutive Bartlett errors. The Wasilla-based squad took a 2-0 advantage when Grissom singled and scored on a Rhowe Stefanski single to center in the fourth.

Mayo tripled and scored on a passed ball in the sixth.

The Road Warriors, who sit in the middle of the pack of the Alaska American Legion standings, improved to 12-7 with the win. The squad caps its regular season today against Chugiak at Oberg Field in Chugiak at 4 p.m.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.