In a showdown of Class 4A juggernauts, the No. 5 New Palestine softball team emerged with a 2-0 extra innings win against No. 7 Hamilton Southeastern (4-2).
Thursday night’s win in Fishers largely was due to the stellar work of Kaylin McMurray, who pitched nine innings of shutout softball for the Dragons. She scattered eight hits and is now 4-0 on the season.
Mary Crumlin delivered the clutch hit of the night with a 2-RBI double in the top of the ninth.
On Wednesday, New Palestine cruised to an 8-2 victory against Franklin Central.
The host Dragons jumped ahead 3-0 in the first, and after the Flashes cut the lead to 3-2 with single runs in the fourth and fifth, New Palestine responded with a three-run fifth and two more in the sixth to seal the victory against a potential sectional foe.
The Dragons pounded 12 hits, with Brittany Duncan and Issy Hoyt each going 3 for 4. Duncan scored three times, Hoyt twice and Duncan also doubled and drove in a run. Adie Lorsung was 2 for 4 with three RBIs. Crumlin had a double and drove in two runs, and Casey Lehman added an RBI.
Elisha Barker went the distance on the mound, allowing seven hits and no earned runs.
Next up for the perfect 6-0 Dragons is their own New Palestine Invitational on Saturday.
BASEBALL
Eastern Hancock defeats Centerville, falls to Hauser
Cole Fout connected with his third home run of the season in helping to propel the Royals to an 8-5 home win against Centerville (5-2) on Thursday.
Tom Barton and Addison True each added a couple of hits, and Garek Ferguson stole his third and fourth bases of the season.
Austin Clutinger earned the complete game victory. He allowed four earned runs on 10 hits, and he struck out four.
On Wednesday in Charlottesville, Hauser scored five late runs to hold off the Royals in its 6-3 Mid-Hoosier Conference victory.
Cole Fout hit a home run, and he finished the day 1 for 3 with two runs scored and an RBI.
Devin Denny and Barton each collected two hits off Hauser (5-1 1-0 MHC) pitching.
Devon Wagoner took the hard-luck loss for the Royals, as he pitched 4.1 innings, allowing just two earned runs while striking out a pair.
The Royals (3-2, 0-1) take to the diamond again Saturday, when they host conference rival Knightstown (2-0, 1-0 MHC).
New Palestine picks up win against Perry Meridian
The Dragons left Indianapolis on Thursday night with a 6-4 win against the Falcons.
New Palestine (5-2, 3-1 Hoosier Heritage Conference) visits league foe New Castle on Saturday (3-5, 2-2 Hoosier Heritage Conference).
GOLF
Mt. Vernon seizes victoryin season-opening match
The Mt. Vernon boys golf team began their season with a 152-191 victory against Lapel on Wednesday at Arrowhead Golf Course in Greenfield.
Leading the way for the Marauders was match medalist Oliver Mast, who fired a one-under par 34. Rounding out the scoring for Mt. Vernon were Jacob Ault (37), Will Dant (39) and Jake Yurack (42). Fifth man Jack Harker also fired a 42. The Bulldogs were led by Tanner Winningham, who shot a 40.
The JV team also opened the season with a victory. The Marauders fired a 187 to Lapel’s 223. Co-medalist’s for the JV match were Marauders Adam Shanahan and Max Heitman, who shot matching 45s.
Mt. Vernon heads back onto the golf course Saturday in a three-way match with New Palestine at Center Grove.
TENNIS
Marauders continue strong start to season with shut-out
A day after sweeping Shenandoah, the Marauders delivered an encore performance versus the Golden Bears.
Mt. Vernon blanked Shelbyville 5-0 Wednesday in Fortville.
Cassie York, Molly Laughlin and Sarah Jones all enjoyed straight-set singles victories, while Addison Eads and Emily Annakin and Kendra Eberhard and Brianna Partin picked up straight-set doubles wins.
The Marauders move to 3-1 on the year and are back in action Saturday at the Mt. Vernon Invitational.
Eastern Hancock falls to New Castle in close contest
The Royals fell to 0-3 on the season with Wednesday’s 3-2 defeat against the Trojans in Charlottesville.
No. 2 singles player Grace Perkins claimed a 6-2, 6-2 victory while the No. 2 doubles pair of Kelly Mellene and Emiley Carlton won 6-1, 6-1.
Lexi McMahan and Channing Bearhope won the opening set of their No. 1 doubles match but eventually fell 6-2, 1-6, 3-6.
The Royals JV team defeated New Castle 4-3.
Eastern Hancock visited Richmond on Thursday night and will host Triton Central today.
TRACK AND FIELD
Wise, Phillips lead Cougars to 1st-place finishes at home
Both the Greenfield-Central boys and girls tracks and field teams earned first-place finishes against New Castle and Indianapolis Scecina at Tuesday’s home meet.
Individual events winners for the girls were Amanda Flora (100-meter dash), Savannah Girolami (200) Regan Lewis (400, high jump), Sydney Cook (800), Maddie Wise (100 and 300 hurdles, long jump), Emily Jones (pole vault) and Jennifer Flora (discus).
All three relays enjoyed victories, as well. Girolami, Cook, Katie Helgason and Emmi McKeeman won the 4×800. Girolami, Amanda Flora, Shelby Bowmer and Olivia McBride won the 4×100 relay, and Girolami, Cook, Helgason and Laurenn Fish won the 4×400.
For the boys, Louie Blaser (400), Syrus Fletcher (800), Tyler Morris (1,600), Zach Bishop (3,200), Josh Woodard, (100 and 300 hurdles), Jacob Keener (pole vault) and Zach Phillips (shot put, discus) won individual events. All three relay teams were victorious, as well.
