Daily Reporter staff reports
The Class 4A No. 8 New Palestine softball team played two games against two different foes Thursday night and needed just 10 innings to secure two victories.
The Dragons defeated Connersville 11-0 in a regularly-scheduled game, then beat Scecina 13-0 in a game that had been rescheduled from the previous week. Both games lasted just five innings.
Against Connersville, the Dragons scored five runs in the second inning and six in the fourth to pull away, while pitchers Mackenzie Jones and Lexi Cook combined on a two-hit shutout. Jones struck out five over four innings, before Cook pitched the fifth.
Abby Davis led the Dragons’ 15-hit attack, going 3-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs. Adie Lorsung was 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Brittany Duncan was 2-for-2 with a double and two runs scored. Abby O’Connor was 2-for-3 with a double, two RBI and two runs. Ashley Prange was also 2-for-2 with a double. Issy Hoyt and Tara Morey also had RBI hits.
In the nightcap against Scecina, the Dragons again pushed across five runs in the second, then followed with an eight-run third to crush the Crusaders.
Elisha Barker threw a complete-game four-hit shutout, striking out two.
Hoyt and O’Connor both homered for the Dragons to lead the offense. Hoyt was 2-for-3 with four RBI, while O’Connor’s two-run shot came in her only at-bat. Prange was 2-for-3 with two doubles and two runs. Carly Roberts also drove in two with a double, and Adie Lorsung had an RBI double.
BASEball
New Palestine holds off Franklin Central
The New Palestine baseball team proved resilient in a 9-7 win Thursday at Franklin Central.
The Dragons took an early 6-0 lead, scoring four in the first inning and two in the second, but the Flashes clawed back with two runs in the second and scored twice more in both the fourth and fifth to tie the game 6-6.
The Dragons regained the lead for good in the top of the sixth, scoring three runs. Franklin Central added one in the bottom of the inning, but reliever Cody Chandler nailed things down to get the win.
Chandler pitched three innings in relief, allowing one run — none earned — and three hits. He struck out two. Keegan Watson scattered four hits and allowed three earned runs in four innings, fanning four.
Wes McBride had a big day at the plate, going 2-for-3 and driving in four runs.
Marauders’ hot hitting continues
After scoring nine runs in a win against Brebeuf on Thursday, the Mt. Vernon offense posted a dozen in its 12-7 win at Guerin (13-8) Thursday night.
The Marauders clubbed four home runs in the victory, with Zach Spears leading the attack with two of them and four RBIs.
Wyatt Vestal and Braydon Augustinovicz connected on long balls as well. Noah Powell, Vestal, and Tyler Franklin each went 3-for-4 on the evening.
Tennis
Cougars slip past Blue River Valley
Greenfield-Central picked up a 3-2 victory at Blue River Valley on Thursday night.
No. 1 singles player Lindsey Mccord earned a 6-0, 6-1 victory, while No. 2 Kendall Barr won 6-4, 6-3.
The No. 2 doubles team of Claire Talbott and Carlie Dahlquist clinched the team triumph with a 6-1, 6-4 victory.
Eastern Hancock swings by Waldron
A threesome of Waldron forfeits led to the Royals’ 4-1 victory Thursday. No. 1 and No. 3 singles players Lexi McMahan and Kayla Huff picked up wins without playing, as did the No. 2 doubles team of Emiley Carlton and Kelly Mellene.
Hailey Carlton and Grace Perkins won their No. 1 doubles mat 6-0, 6-1.
