Daily Reporter staff reports
Keegan Watson threw a no-hitter (6-1 win) in the second game of New Palestine’s doubleheader Friday against New Castle as the Dragons used a split to secure the Hoosier Heritage Conference title with a final record of 10-4.
In the first game, the Trojans stole a 5-4 win after trailing by four runs.
Watson’s no-hitter is the first for the program since Connor Swain handled Brebeuf Jesuit in 2014. The HHC title is the ninth for New Palestine since 2004.
Watson struck out seven batters in seven innings and walked just four Trojans. New Castle’s only run came in the second frame when a leadoff walk and hit batsman gave the Dragons a poor start.
Evan Fitzgerald got New Palestine on the board first, though, in the first inning after reaching on an error and scoring when Braden Roberts broke from first to second in a steal attempt.
It added more damage in the fifth and sixth innings, starting rallies with two outs and the bases empty. In the fifth, Watson walked and later scored on a base hit by Jason Hall-Manley. Roberts extended the inning by reaching on an error. Hall-Manley scored on a wild throw, and Roberts eventually scored on a Cody Long infield single.
Watson blasted a pitch over the center fielder’s head for an RBI triple in the sixth and Hall-Manley followed with a run-scoring single to finalize the score at 6-1.
Zach Lovell (7-1) earned his first loss of the season in Game 1 for the Dragons, who are now 19-8.
Cougars drop pair against Shelbyville
Greenfield-Central’s baseball team dropped two HHC games to Shelbyville over the weekend.
In the first game on Friday, the Golden Bears won 11-1 and followed it up with an 8-6 win Saturday after the game was moved due to poor weather.
The Cougars are 9-17 this season.
Eastern Hancock wins 10th home game
Eastern Hancock improved to 13-10 and 10-1 overall at home after a 9-3 win against Cowan on Friday.
Tom Barton and A.J. Muegge collected three hits each as the Royals produced 11 hits in the win. Barton also had three RBIs.
Devin Denny finished with two hits as Eastern Hancock scored four times in the fifth inning after scoring twice in both the first and second innings.
On the mound, Andrew Knoblock earned the win after striking out eight and allowing two earned runs in a complete game effort.
Marauders complete doubleheader sweep
Mt. Vernon’s baseball team used 6-3, 5-4 wins to sweep HHC foe Yorktown on Friday.
In Game 1, Mt. Vernon, who is currently 18-6, used 10 hits and consistent offense to seal the win. It scored in four of the seven innings including three in the fifth.
Ryan Beck and Noah Powell led the team with two hits and two RBIs apiece as Kennedy Parker earned the win on the mound. He finished with nine strikeouts, one walk and five hits.
In the second game, Ryan Beck took the win for the Marauders, throwing six innings while striking out five and walking four.
Offensively, Mt. Vernon scored twice in the sixth inning and once in the seventh. The team finished with eight hits as Beck, Tyler Franklin and Luke Smoot each knocked two base hits.
Softball
Royals too much for North Decatur
Class 2A No. 16 Eastern Hancock improved to 16-3 after a 12-1 win against Mid-Hoosier Conference opponent North Decatur on Friday.
The Royals, who finished with 14 hits, led 6-0 after two innings and added three more in the seventh. The Chargers managed just six hits and finished with three errors in the loss.
Peyton West led the offense with four hits and three RBIs, while Kaysi Gilbert finished with three hits and scored four runs. Micah Black, Faith Webster and Jordan Pierson were productive, as well, collecting two hits.
On the mound, Darby Shaw finished with seven strikeouts and two walks in a complete game.
Cougars take two to mark senior night
Greenfield-Central said farewell to its seniors in winning fashion Friday, using 9-0, 8-6 wins to sweep Lawrence North.
Mikayla Durick threw a complete game shutout in the Game 1 win as Erika Knapp finished 4-for-4 at the plate to lead the Cougars.
Morganne Denny added three hits, four RBIs and a home run, while Darcie Huber also went deep and added two other hits in the rout.
In the second victory, Michaela Ballman earned the win on the mound and also homered for Greenfield-Central.
Denny stayed hot and added another home run, and Sara Morris finished with two hits and a double.
The Cougars are now 15-9.
