Dragons, Cougars also win blowouts

One day after New Palestine’s Jacob Barnes hit three home runs in a single game, Mt. Vernon’s Rachel Houck equaled that mark with three of her own against Lawrence North Wednesday.

One of Houck’s blasts was a grand slam, and the junior infielder finished with eight RBIs on the night as MV prevailed 15-5 in five innings.“I’ve never seen anything like it,” MV coach Mike McGill said.

Ambry Turpen got the win on the mound, allowing five runs (three earned) in five innings while walking four and striking out six.

Turpen also drove in two for the MV offense. Ellie Balbach (2-for-3, RBI), Kylie Lyons (2-for-4, RBI) and Maggie McLean (two runs, RBI, two walks) paced the MV offense. The Marauders totaled 11 hits.

MV (12-6) faces Greensburg Saturday morning in the first round of the Cougar Classic at Greenfield-Central.

Softball

New Palestine 17, Fishers 2

The Dragons used a 13-run third inning to blow out visiting Fishers. NP had 12 hits in the third and sent 17 batters to the plate.

Audrey East (2-for-4, home run, four RBIs), Julie Moore (3-for-3, two RBIs), Megan Prosser (3-for-4, two runs, two RBIs), Liza Fiers (3-for-3, two runs, three RBIs), Markie Wood (2-for-3, two runs, RBI) and Adie Lorsung (2-for-3, two runs, two RBIs) were among the many Dragon batters who enjoyed good nights on offense. The Dragons recorded 22 hits.

Kaylin McMurray was the winner, pitching five innings of two-run, four-hit ball for her fifth victory.

NP (15-5) is at Connersville for a doubleheader today.

Greenfield-Central 10, Lawrence Central 5

Buoyed by Ashley Whitaker’s two round-trippers, the Lady Cougars defeated Lawrence Central 10-5 Wednesday. Whitaker finished with three hits and three RBIs.

Brittany Hardwick was 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Lauren Deeter logged three hits, an RBI and scored two runs. Kimmy Ellenberger added a hit, an RBI and scored twice.

Sami Frazier acquired her 15th win of the season, tossing six innings of three-run, four hit ball.

G-C (17-6) takes on Franklin County in the first round of the Cougar Classic Saturday morning at GCHS.

Girls’ tennis

Greenfield-Central 3, Pendleton Heights 2

The Cougars traveled north on State Road 9 and came home with a close win. Taylor Titus (No. 2 singles) and the No. 2 doubles team of Emma Morgan and Meg Summers won in straight sets for G-C, while Lauren Brand and Kyla Leary went the distance at No. 2 doubles, 6-7, 6-4, 6-1 to nail the final victory for the Cougars.

The Cougars improved to 9-6 on the season.

Mt. Vernon 5, New Castle 0

Clara Ruegsegger, Caitlin Laughlin and Rachel Kammerer swept the singles matches for the Marauders on Wednesday.

Kelsi Tammen/Allie Schafer and Maddie Walrod/Ellen Wuerch won doubles matches for MV (9-5), who welcome Alexandria Saturday.

New Palestine 3, Whiteland 2

The Dragons swept the singles matches to earn the victory Wednesday. Tanya Khokhar, Jen Roberts and Nicole Beaty were victorious.

Beaty (No. 2 singles) won 6-2, 2-6 then 10-7 in a super tiebreaker that was played instead of a third set because of an inclement weather threat.

NP hosts Pendleton Heights today.