RENSSELAER â High school baseball was played at Saint Josephâs Collegeâs Gil Hodges Field for the first time in seven years when South Newton hosted West Central for a Midwest Conference contest Tuesday night.
Itâs the first IHSAA contest at SJC since 2017 when the college dumped its athletic programs due to financial woes.
The college continues to stay open by offering certification programs, but only a handful of buildings remain in use.
SJCâs baseball field does host summer showcase events, but the last high school game played there was when Rensselaer Central hosted Tri-County in 2017.
In contrast, SJCâs former softball field was annexed by the city of Rensselaer and will be converted into a housing development.
The baseball field remains in playing condition, though it was soft in some areas due to rain. A pleasant, sunny day welcomed the two teams who will face one another again this spring.
Meanwhile, fans took advantage of the box seats that remain under the press box to watch West Central hang an 11-0 loss on the Rebels, who fall to 1-2. South Newton opened the season with a doubleheader split with Fountain Central.
It was the season opener for the Trojans, who had two pitchers combine to hold the Rebels to two hits. Starter Josiah Rodriguez struck out seven over four innings to pick up the victory.
Offensively, Braden McKay was 3 for 4 with three RBIs and four runs scored. Michael Wireman added a two-run single, Garner Moon was 2 for 3 with a double and two RBIs and Jacob Pilarski added two-run single and scored two runs.
Aidan Mattox got the start for the Rebels, allowing 11 runs â just four earned â on nine hits over five innings of work. He struck out seven and issued one walk.
South Newton will play three games at SJC, including its rival game with North Newton later in the year. The Rebels will play on the road all season while they await an improvement project on their home field.
Construction on the field in Kentland is expected to begin this summer, according to SNHS athletic director Chris Bell. Much of the improvements involve drainage.
The Rebels have also scheduled several of their home games at the senior league field in Goodland.
