Daily Reporter staff reports
Class 3A No. 1 New Palestine improved to 17-2 with an 11-0 win against Warren Central on Thursday in five innings.
The Dragons, which collected 12 hits, scored five runs in the second inning to run away with the win.
Mia Long homered and Issy Hoyt finished 3-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs to lead New Palestine. Casey Lehman was 2-for-3 with two RBIs while Mary Crumlin was 2-for-2 with a double and an RBI. Ashley Prange doubled, had an RBI and scored three runs for the Dragons.
Elisha Barker pitched two perfect innings and struck out two. Abbey White allowed one hit in two innings and struck out two, and Mackenzie Jones allowed one hit and had two strikeouts in one inning. The Dragons’ pitchers faced just two batters more than the game minimum.
Royals too much for South Decatur
Eastern Hancock’s softball team needed just five innings to securely beat Mid-Hoosier Conference foe South Decatur on Thursday, 17-0, to improve to 12-3-1 this season.
The Royals, which finished with 16 hits, got three hits from Peyton West and Micah Black. Brooke Walden scored four runs and finished with four RBIs while Black homered twice and brought in five runs. West also sent a ball over the fence.
Darby Shaw earned the win, allowing no hits while collecting six strikeouts. Elise Bittinger threw two scoreless innings of relief.
Baseball
Dragons handle Franklin Central
Class 3A No. 7 New Palestine used a nine-run third inning to seal a 10-0 win against Franklin Central on Thursday in five innings.
Keegan Watson and Braden Roberts each sent deep balls over the fence and Kyle Gardner threw a one-hitter for the Dragons as the team got back on track after a loss to Delta last Saturday.
Watson now has nine home runs this season, which leads the state. He was 2-for-3 with four RBIs. Jason Hall-Manley was 2-for-3 with a triple and an RBI while Roberts was 2-for-2 with a homer, three runs and two RBIs. Nick Rusche was 3-for-3 with a run.
Gardner allowed a single in the second inning and finished with one strikeout and three walks.
