Daily Reporter staff reports
MUNCIE — New Palestine’s softball team claimed at least a share of its fifth consecutive Hoosier Heritage Conference title on May 6 with a win against Shelbyville.
On Friday night, they made sure the conference title was all theirs.
By beating Pendleton Heights this season, all the Dragons had to do was top Delta in a road game on Friday to keep the HHC crown all to themselves. They did just that, beating the Eagles, 14-1, closing out the regular-season with a 22-3 record and perfect 7-0 run in conference.
The Dragons put an exclamation mark at the end of their conference season, blasting six home runs in the route of Delta. Jaylin Calvert had two, and Raegan Hiatt, Emily O’Connor, Michaela Jones and Tatum Biddle each added one.
Calvert, O’Connor and Biddle each had three RBIs. Jones and Hiatt had two, and Jones was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate. Hiatt, O’Connor and Biddle each had two hits. Kendal Calvert, Lexi Campbell, Kinsey Mitchell, Sydney Anderson and Macy Miller all added one hit.
New Palestine out-hit the Eagles 18 to three.
Sam Booe pitched three innings, striking out four, walking one, and allowing one run on two hits. Katie Kottlowski pitched the other two innings, striking out one and allowing one hit.
It’s the second straight year the Dragons finished the conference slate undefeated.
New Palestine opens sectional play Monday at 6 p.m. in a home game against Beech Grove. The Dragons, who have maintained the No. 1 ranking all season, are in search of a third straight state championship in Class 3A.
