COLUMBUS — After starting fast in the opening game of a Saturday doubleheader at Columbus East and then having to hang on for a close 11-10 victory, Mt. Vernon wanted no part of that drama in the second game.
The Marauders once again started quickly, but this time, they never stopped or let the Olympians back in the game, as they slugged their way to a five-inning, 18-0 victory to complete the sweep.
Mt. Vernon (7-0) got off to a quick start in the opening game, plating three runs in each of the first two innings off East starter Jordan Johnston.
The Marauders opened the game with five straight hits, including a triple by Riley Hasseld, before the Olympians were able to record an out. Following a sacrifice fly that scored the third run of the inning, Johnston was able to get Allison Myers to line out to right field for the final out of the inning, stranding two baserunners.
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East (2-8) answered back with a run in the bottom of the inning. Madyson Foster reached on an error and was moved to third on a Johnston single. She then scampered home on a wild pitch to get the Olympians on the board.
The visitors came right back with three more runs in the top of the second. Following a walk, an error, and an infield hit, Sydnee Perry, who had six RBIs in the game, lined a double to the gap that cleared the bases, putting Mt. Vernon up 6-1.
East again answered, however, with three runs of its own in the bottom of the second to pull to within 6-4.
After the Marauders were retired in order in the top of the third, the Olympians tacked another run on the board to pull to within one run, but that is as close as they would get. Mt. Vernon scored two runs in the fourth and fifth innings, but so did East. The Marauders scored a run in the sixth to take a two-run lead, but the Olympians scored a run of their own to cut the lead back to one.
After being shut out in the final inning, Karlee Franklin, who started the game, but was pulled after three innings, came back to the circle to set East down in order to secure the victory.
The second game of the day was all Mt. Vernon. It scored six runs in the first inning, when eight of the first 10 batters reached base via hit or error. The Marauders then tacked on an additional seven runs in the third and four more in the fourth to take a 17-0 lead and put the game out of reach.
Molly Buck was dominant in the circle, giving up only one hit and striking out four.
For the day, Mt. Vernon scored 29 total runs on 31 hits, nine of which were for extra bases.
Leading the offensive onslaught was Haley Kissee, who had seven hits including a double, a home run, three RBIs and six runs scored. Perry contributed five hits, including a home run and seven RBIs. Macey Cox also had a home run and six RBIs.
Softball
Cougars get two wins
Greenfield-Central took on Beech Grove in a Saturday doubleheader, and the Cougars improved to 10-1 on the year with a pair of wins, 6-3 and 4-2.
Kensie Bradley led the Cougars offense with a 4-for-4 day at the plate, with a walk, four stolen bases and an RBI. Sam Kihega was 2-for-2 with three walks and drove in four runs. Lexi Rankin pitched a complete game, striking out seven while walking four.
In the second game, Macy Fultz pitched a complete game and struck out three while allowing six hits. Bradley was 3-for-5 with two runs and Kihega walked twice and had an RBI double. Mallory Fultz went 2-for-4 with two runs.
Baseball
Royals earn split
Eastern Hancock took on rival Knightstown for a Saturday doubleheader, dropping Game 1, 17-4, and winning Game 2, 12-11 in nine innings.
In the opener, the Royals used six different pitchers who combined to allow 17 hits and 15 earned runs. Ryan Burris led the offense with two hits and an RBI.
In the second game, Burris tied the game in the bottom of the seventh with a two-RBI double, then won the game for the Royals when he walked with bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth. Burris finished with three hits and four RBIs. Andy Locker also had four RBIs. The Royals used seven pitchers in the second game, combining to strike out six while allowing 14 hits.
Boys golf
Marauders 6th, Dragons 8th
Mt. Vernon and New Palestine both took part in Saturday’s Center Grove Invite, which was won by the hosts with a 301.
The Marauders finished sixth, with a 332, while the Dragons were eighth, with a 362.
Sam McWilliams led Mt. Vernon with a strong individual performance, finishing tied for seventh with a score of 75. John Husar had an 84, Elijah Dunham an 86, Haiden Rose an 87 and Blake Johnson a 90.
New Palestine was led by an 81 from Josh Shinkle. Matt Barada shot an 86, Branden Baker a 96, Evan Griffith a 99 and A.J. Williams a 101.
Cougars finish 3rd
Greenfield-Central competed Saturday at Twin Bridges in Danville, posting a 328 to finish third behind Danville (307) and Hamilton Southeastern (320).
The Cougars were led by Kyle Arrowood’s 78. Noah Mohler and Zach Archer both carded 83, and Canyen Palmer finished out the scoring with an 84.
Girls tennis
Marauders 3rd at own invite
Mt. Vernon finished third in its own invitational on Saturday, with two runner-up finishers in Louisa Batge at No. 3 singles and Lexi Shelton and Beth Hodkin at No. 2 doubles.
The No. 1 doubles duo of Maeve Laughlin and Alexis Lane finished third with a semifinals loss. No. 1 singles player Lydia Ruegsegger lost her first match of the day to an all-state player and then swept her next two opponents to finish third. Kaleigh Helm finished fourth at No. 2 singles.
Royals finish 2nd in invite
Eastern Hancock also hosted an invitational on Saturday, finishing second behind champion Blue River Valley.
The Royals were runners-up at all three singles positions and one doubles position. Cassandra Hannemann, Valentina Brooks and Corina Jennings all fell in the finals to players from Blue River Valley, as did the doubles team of Chloe McCarty and Katie Brown.
Track
Area teams compete in invites
Hancock County track and field athletes competed in several events Saturday, including the Adidas Sprinter Showcase at Lafayette Jefferson, the Terre Haute Invitational and the Small School Invitational at Randolph Southern.
Three New Palestine 400-meter runners competed in the Sprinters Showcase, with Jordan Reid finishing fourth (58.63), Laine Schonauer fifth (51.32) and Sophia Taylor seventh (61.27).
The Mt. Vernon teams won the Terre Haute Invite with 162 points, besting Terre Haute North Vigo (148.5), while the Marauders girls finished second with 136.5 points, behind Terre Haute South (171.5).
In the Randolph Southern Invitational, Skyler Sexton set a new school record in the 300 hurdles with a time of 40.62 and the boys went on to win. The Royals girls finished second.
