GREENFIELD — While the rest of their Hancock County counterparts fell short of sectional titles a year ago, the New Palestine Dragons softball team cruised through their sectional on the way to a second straight state title.
The Dragons are heavily favored to win a fourth straight sectional championship and complete a state title three-peat, but they aren’t the only county team that could make some noise this postseason.
All four county softball teams have been ranked this spring, and all have realistic chances at bringing home a sectional title and making a deeper tournament run.
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On the baseball diamond, no Hancock County team was able to secure a sectional a year ago, with Mt. Vernon and New Palestine falling short in sectional championship games. They, along with Eastern Hancock and Greenfield-Central, are hoping to bring home some hardware, too.
Some hardware has already been claimed. Eastern Hancock’s softball team has clinched at least a share of the Mid-Eastern Conference title and will learn tonight if they will be the lone champions. New Palestine softball has clinched a share of the Hoosier Heritage Conference title and can wrap up sole possession tonight. The Cougars’ baseball team can also clinch a share or outright conference title tonight.
Sectional play will begin will a full slate of games Monday for softball and with a single Hancock County game on Wednesday for baseball. Jump inside to Page B2 for a closer look at each of the six sectionals Hancock County teams will compete in.
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Note: All records/stats are through Thursday
Class 4A Mt. Vernon Sectional
The teams: Pendleton Heights Arabians (21-3), Mt. Vernon Marauders (17-3), Greenfield-Central Cougars (16-9), Anderson Indians (12-6), Muncie Central Bearcats (1-13), Richmond Red Devils (7-14-1)
Favorites: Pendleton Heights
Contenders: Mt. Vernon, Greenfield-Central, Anderson
Longshots: Muncie Central, Richmond
Players to watch: Mt. Vernon — Sydney Perry (.397, 27 RBI), Haley Kissee (.413, 14 RBI), Karlee Franklin (1.80 ERA, 94 K); Greenfield-Central — Sam Kihega (.386, 9 HR, 28 RBI), Lexi Rankin (.303, 5 HR, 19 RBI, 2.61 ERA, 83 K), Kensie Bradley (.436, 10 RBI); Pendleton Heights — Jordan Benefiel (0.83 ERA, 199 K), Kieli Ryan (.485, 7 HR, 31 RBI), Ally Hall (.453, 25 RBI), Kylie Davis (.432, 18 RBI); Anderson — Shelby Wright (.492, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 2.52 ERA, 166 K), Emma Kelley (.459, 4 HR, 24 RBI); Richmond — Claire Laughlin-Foster (.423, 2 HR, 15 RBI), Shylah Gibson (.375, 1 HR, 18 RBI).
Outlook: While it wouldn’t be a big surprise to see a Hancock County team win this sectional, Pendleton Heights has to be considered the clear front-runner. The Arabians have faced all three of the contenders from this sectional, outscoring the Marauders, Cougars and Indians by a combined score of 53-4. Their only losses are to Class 3A No. 1 New Palestine, 4A No. 2 Decatur Central and 4A No. 14 Chesterton by a combined seven runs, and they beat the No. 1 team in 4A, Lake Central, 3-1. Led by standout pitcher Jordan Benefiel, the Arabians will ride their pitching as far as it can take them. Anderson’s Shelby Wright isn’t far from the dominance of Benefiel, though, and not far behind her are Mt. Vernon’s Karlee Franklin and Greenfield-Central’s Lexi Rankin. This sectional will come down to who can hit the ball against some fantastic pitching. The hosts should be favored to make it to a sectional championship game against Pendleton Heights, but taking down the No. 6 Arabians will be a tough task.
Class 3A New Palestine Sectional
The teams: New Palestine Dragons (21-3), Beech Grove Hornets (3-14), Connersville Spartans (17-9), Indian Creek Braves (7-13), Rushville Lions (7-14)
Favorite: New Palestine
Contenders: Connersville
Longshots: Beech Grove, Rushville, Indian Creek,
Players to watch: New Palestine — Emily O’Connor (.530, 12 HR, 32 RBI), Jaylin Calvert (.475, 9 HR, 35 RBI), Michaela Jones (.435, 8 HR, 31 RBI), Kaylea Bullock (2.21 ERA, 87 K); Beech Grove — Taylor Harmon (.375, 4 RBI), Alexia Ham (.367, 11 RBI); Connersville — Allison Woytik (.531, 12 HR, 40 RBI), Paige Dunaway (.478, 8 HR, 29 RBI), Jeri Ellis (.469, 7 HR, 34 RBI, 2.68 ERA, 104 K); Indian Creek — Alley Fleener (2.07 ERA, 49 K), Kayla Lemmon (.348, 11 RBI); Rushville — Kara Chandler (.500, 14 RBI), Kendra Hamilton (.385, 7 HR, 21 RBI)
Outlook: This is by far the most lopsided sectional any Hancock County softball or baseball team will play in, as the host Dragons – back-to-back state champions – will be the heavy favorites to advance to a regional and bring home their fourth straight sectional title. New Palestine played their closest competition of this group, Connersville, on May 7, with the Dragons winning 9-0. The hosts cruised through this same sectional a year ago, outscoring Connersville and Indian Creek 29-0. Expect similar results this year as the Dragons push for a state championship three-peat.
Class 2A Heritage Christian Sectional
The teams: Eastern Hancock Royals (14-6-1), Knightstown Panthers (14-9), Triton Central Tigers (11-10), Heritage Christian Eagles (6-10), Irvington Prep Academy (6-5), Indianapolis Howe Hornets (5-7)
Favorite: Eastern Hancock
Contenders: Knightstown, Triton Central
Longshots: Heritage Christian, Irvington Prep, Indianapolis Howe
Players to watch: Eastern Hancock — Carolina Stapleton (.537, 8 3B, 29 RBI), Paige Wickard (.423, 22 RBI), Maddie Turner (3.00 ERA, 64 K), Elise Bittinger (2.03 ERA, 23 K), Jessi Potts (2.10 ERA, 52 K); Triton Central — Katie Cook (.487, 7 RBI), Elizabeth Mukka (.467, 2 HR, 30 RBI, 3.40 ERA, 45 K); Knightstown — Paige Personett (.466, 20 RBI), Sidney Vise (.461, 14 RBI, 3.24 ERA, 93 K); Heritage Christian — Brooke Porter (2.40 ERA, 75 K), Nicole Shebek (.359, 8 RBI)
Outlook: This sectional is Eastern Hancock’s to lose, with the toughest test likely to come in the semifinal against rival Knightstown. The Panthers ended the Royals’ season a year ago, and Eastern Hancock opened this year with a 4-2 win against their rivals. When the Royals offense is clicking, they are hard to stop. It wasn’t at full speed in the season-opening win, but was on full display in a MEC-clinching win against Cowan this week. With three strong pitchers to go along with the offense, the Royals will not be an easy out. A potential championship game against Triton Central could be a stumbling block for either the Panthers or Royals, though.
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SOFTBALL
Class 4A Mt. Vernon Sectional
Monday
5:30 p.m.: Greenfield-Central vs. Richmond
7 p.m.: Mt. Vernon vs. Muncie Central
Tuesday
5:30 p.m.: Winners of Monday’s games
7 p.m.: Anderson vs. Pendleton Heights
Wednesday
6 p.m.: Championship
Class 3A New Palestine sectional
Monday
6 p.m.: New Palestine vs. Beech Grove
Tuesday
5 p.m.: Rushville vs. Indian Creek
7 p.m.: Connersville vs. Monday’s winner
Thursday
6 p.m.: Championship
Class 2A Heritage Christian Sectional
Monday
5 p.m.: Heritage Christian vs. Eastern Hancock
7 p.m.: Irvington Preparatory Academy vs. Knightstown
Tuesday
5 p.m.: Winners of Monday’s games
7 p.m.: Triton Central vs. Indianapolis Howe
Wednesday
5:30 p.m.: Championship
BASEBALL
Class 4A Pendleton Heights Sectional
Wednesday
6 p.m.: Richmond vs. Muncie Central
Thursday
5:30 p.m.: Connersville vs. Anderson
7:30 p.m.: Mt. Vernon vs. Greenfield-Central
May 25
11 a.m.: Pendleton Heights vs. Wednesday’s winner
1 p.m.: Thursday’s winners
May 27
6 p.m.: Championship
Class 4A New Palestine Sectional
Wednesday
5 p.m.: Lawrence North vs. Warren Central
7 p.m.: Cathedral vs. Arsenal Tech
Thursday
5 p.m.: Wednesday’s winners
7 p.m.: Lawrence Central vs. New Palestine
May 27
Noon: Championship
Class 2A Triton Central Sectional
Wednesday
5 p.m.: Triton Central vs. Heritage Christian
7 p.m.: Scecina vs. Eastern Hancock
Thursday
5 p.m.: Wednesday’s winners
7 p.m.: Irvington Prep vs. Knightstown
May 27
Noon: Championship
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Class 4A Pendleton Heights Sectional
The teams: Greenfield-Central Cougars (15-6), Mt. Vernon Marauders (11-9), Pendleton Heights Arabians (14-7), Connersville Spartans (10-13), Anderson Indians (14-8), Muncie Central Bearcats (3-18), Richmond Red Devils (15-8)
Favorite: Greenfield-Central, Pendleton Heights
Contenders: Mt. Vernon, Anderson, Connersville, Richmond
Longshots: Muncie Central
Players to watch: Mt. Vernon — Sam McCarty (.392, 20 RBI), Payton Bovard (.370, 13 RBI), Hunter Dobbins (.365, 1 HR, 18 RBI); Greenfield-Central — Adam Hutchison (.253, 3 HR, 20 RBI, 1.08 ERA, 55 K), Blake Wilson (.453, 2 HR, 15 RBI), Carson Gibson (.353); Pendleton Heights — Walker Stull (0.70 ERA, 68 K), Rene Casas (.306, 2 HR, 21 RBI); Connersville — Colton Massey (.386, 1 HR, 16 RBI), Rintaro Ura (.339, 12 RBI); Anderson — Cameron McGlothlin (.426, 10 RBI), Cameron Pratt (.373, 14 RBI, 2.12 ERA, 46 K); Muncie Central — Dylan Gonzales (.360, 3 RBI), Zach Garrett (.346, 7 RBI); Richmond — Nick Turner (.388, 17 RBI), Mason Brewer (.343, 25 RBI)
Outlook: This is one of the most difficult sectionals to predict, as head-to-head results are largely split among the teams in the favorites and contenders tiers. Pitching tends to rule in the tournament, and Greenfield-Central and Pendleton Heights excel in that area, giving them the edge. The Arabians are defending sectional champions, and with Walker Stull on the mound, are going to be incredibly hard to get past. Stull isn’t all the Arabians have on the mount – they have a sectional-best 1.93 team ERA – but the Cougars are nearly as deep on the mound, with a 2.29 team ERA. The Arabians have the bye, but nobody has an easy path to a sectional title. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see almost any combination of these teams – outside of Muncie Central – in Monday’s sectional championship game.
Class 4A New Palestine Sectional
The teams: New Palestine Dragons (13-12), Warren Central Warriors (4-19), Lawrence North Wildcats (17-7), Arsenal Tech Titans (1-12), Lawrence Central Bears (7-16), Cathedral Fighting Irish (15-6)
Favorite: Cathedral
Contenders: Lawrence North, New Palestine
Longshots: Warren Central, Lawrence Central, Arsenal Tech
Players to watch: New Palestine — Jack Walker (.354, 19 RBI, 2.62 ERA, 60 K), Colby Jenkins (.400, 15 RBI), Noah Mack (.431, 23 RBI); Lawrence North — Ty Johnson (1.07 ERA, 49 K), Caleb Vaughn (.325, 4 HR, 18 RBI); Lawrence Central — Anthony Steinhart (.434, 9 RBI), Zach Lane (.425, 5 HR, 10 RBI); Cathedral — Peyton Schofield (1.03 ERA, 51 K), Cole Vassilo (.388, 2 HR, 23 RBI)
Outlook: The defending sectional champions and state runner-up Fighting Irish are the favorites here, but the margin between the Irish and the Dragons and Wildcats is not big. New Palestine topped Cathedral by a run during the season, and the Irish only bested the Bears by two runs. The Irish have the strongest pitching in this sectional, with Peyton Schofield a dominant force on the mound and five pitchers with a sub-2.00 ERA. How pitching matchups and pitch counts fall will determine a lot in this sectional, as Jack Walker can be just as dominant as Schofield and has been pitching extremely well lately. The Dragons have a very beneficial draw with a bye and a game against one of the longshots in this group. Expect a very competitive sectional championship game regardless of who is in it.
Class 2A Triton Central Sectional
The teams: Eastern Hancock Royals (4-19), Triton Central Tigers (10-4), Heritage Christian Eagles (7-9), Irvington Prep Academy (6-7), Knightstown Panthers (8-16), Scecina (12-12-1)
Favorite: Scecina
Contenders: Triton Central
Longshots: Eastern Hancock, Knightstown, Heritage Christian, Irvington Prep Academy
Players to watch: Eastern Hancock — Ryan Burris (.441, 15 RBI); Triton Central — Colton Brown (.529, 11 RBI, 1.48 ERA, 19 K), Aaron Steele (.405, 14 RBI); Irvington Preparatory Academy —; Knightstown — Caleb Pyle (.343, 19 RBI), Aaron Reagan (.325, 10 RBI); Indianapolis Scecina — Mac Ayres (2.25 ERA, 77 K), Eli Phillips (.453, 2 HR, 15 RBI)
Outlook: This sectional appears to be a two-team race, with the defending sectional (and regional) winner Scecina having the slight edge over Triton Central thanks to a head-to-head win against the Tigers this season. This is a very bottom-heavy group, with the four teams in the longshots category all needing to pull off at least one sizeable upset to have a shot at a sectional title. Triton Central and Scecina would meet in the semifinals, and the winner of that potential game would be a heavy favorite to bring home a sectional championship.
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