Daily Reporter staff reports
The race for first in the Hoosier Heritage Conference boiled down to Saturday’s finale. Unfortunately, the Class 3A No. 6 New Palestine Dragons came up one game just short of their goal.
Splitting with New Castle on Saturday during their final HHC doubleheader of the year, New Palestine (19-6, 10-4 HHC) clinched second in the conference, behind champion Pendleton Heights (19-5, 11-3).
The Dragons dropped their opener against New Castle 4-1 before bouncing back with a 5-2 win.
In the second game, the Dragons scored twice in each of the first two innings to build a 4-1 lead. Kyle Gardner (5-2) pitched 6.1 innings, permitting one earned run and five hits while striking out six to earn the win.
Jarrett Jaques recorded the save with two strikeouts in 0.2 inning pitched.
Jacob Smith led the team’s six-hit attack with a single, triple, a run and an RBI. Nick Rusche and Keegan Watson both had a single and an RBI. Jack Walker finished with a double.
In the first game, both teams were scoreless until host New Castle posted three runs in the fourth. The Trojans added a run in the fifth.
The Dragons scored their run in the seventh as Cameron Pitzer drove in Smith. Jacob Garrison, Watson and Jaques all had hits for the Dragons.
Watson pitched a one-hitter through 3.1 innings with seven strikeouts. Garrison (4-1) took the loss in relief.
Cougars fall short
The Greenfield-Central Cougars lost two games at Shelbyville on Friday night to wrap up their Hoosier Heritage Conference schedule.
The Cougars (15-10) dropped the first game 8-0 and the second 4-2 to finish fourth in the HHC at 8-7.
In the second game, Adam Hutchison and Bradley McDowell both drove in runs. Hutchison’s RBI came off a solo home run. Drey Jameson pitched the first game, striking out 10 and surrendering three earned runs through 5.0 innings.
Softball
Dragons keep winning
The top-ranked Class 3A New Palestine Dragons scorched Delta during their regular-season finale on Friday night to win their 16th straight game.
The Dragons won 13-0 to improve to 24-2 overall and a perfect 7-0 in the Hoosier Heritage Conference. New Palestine clinched the HHC title by a two-game margin.
Abby Davis was 4-for-4 in the game, connecting for three doubles and five RBIs. She also scored three times.
Madison Whitaker went 2-for-2 with a home run, a double and three RBIs. Emily O’Connor was 3-for-4 with an RBI. Mary Crumlin, Emma Tucher and Tatum Biddle each went 2-for-2.
Ashley Prange had a hit and an RBI. Elisha Barker earned the win over 3.1 innings pitched. She allowed one hit and struck out four.
golf
Marauders win invite
The Mt. Vernon golf team shot a 317 to win the Connersville Invitational on Saturday.
Trinity Lutheran was second at 325 while North Central was third at 333. New Palestine finished fifth with a 359.
Oliver Mast led the Marauders with a 75 to place second overall. Will Dant shot a 78 for third. Xavier Dunham was fourth with a 79. Max Heitman carded an 85. John Husar added an 87.
Quinn Dobbins led the New Palestine Dragons with an 87. Blake Barnette and Elijah Domogala each shot 90s. Nick Lyon recorded a 92, while Matt Kelley had a 93.
