New Palestine took both games of what turned into a two-day baseball doubleheader against Shelbyville, winning a game that started Friday and concluded Saturday 15-5 and taking Saturday’s second game 3-1.
New Palestine missed an opportunity to break open Friday’s game when it stranded the bases loaded in the second inning.
They made up for it in the third inning.
The Dragons broke through after an error on a ball hit to shortstop put a runner on. Things quickly began to unravel for Shelbyville from there. A single by third baseman Jacob Bain was followed by a pair of walks, loading the bases for junior Colby Jenkins.
Jenkins blasted a double to put the Dragons back in front, and New Palestine extended its lead with a walk, a wild pitch and a pair of singles. What was a 3-2 Shelbyville lead turned into a 9-3 Dragons advantage.
New Palestine rode that momentum the rest of the way, putting away the high-scoring game Saturday before winning a pitching duel in the second game.
Jenkins had a pair of hits and three RBIs in the doubleheader. Jack Walker added 3 RBI for New Palestine.
Walker started the second game on the mound for the Dragons, allowing one hit and striking out 10 in five innings.
Marauders cruise to win
The Mt. Vernon baseball team got through one game of a scheduled doubleheader Friday night, besting host Delta 14-4 in five innings. The second game was suspended due to weather with the Marauders leading 7-0 after one inning. That game was set to resume Monday night.
Jaden Cappelletti led the Marauders offense with a 3-for-4, three-RBI day.
Caleb Rush pitched four innings for the win, striking out five and allowing one earned run.
TENNIS
Dragons tennis sweeps
The New Palestine girls tennis team braved the cold, snow and windy conditions Friday at New Castle, securing a well-deserved 5-0 victory against the Trojans in a Hoosier Heritage Conference clash.
New Palestine’s No. 1 singles player Megan Long outplayed New Castle senior Delaney Dye to secure a 6-2, 6-4 victory.
Senior Ivey Simmons earned a 6-2, 6-0 victory against Trojans senior Elizabeth Lamar.
Junior Caylie Almond played a consistent game to oust New Castle senior Kaylea DeWitt 6-3, 6-3 at No. 3 singles to seal the win for the Dragons.
In a changed lineup, junior Josee King combined well with junior Claire Cherry. Playing at No. 1 doubles, the new combination raced to a comfortable 6-1, 6-0 win against New Castle’s Sydney Hedges and Emily Scott.
The Dragons’ new No. 2 doubles combination of junior Sheridan Schrowe and sophomore Ashley Truman narrowly lost a close first set 7-5 against New Castle senior Brandy Burgess and sophomore Abby Hamilton, but persevered in the difficult playing conditions. The pair recovered and went on to win a tough three-setter 5-7, 6-2, 6-1.
The Dragons’ next match is today at Triton Central.
