MIDDLETOWN — The Eastern Hancock softball team remains white hot, extending its winning streak to seven straight after defeating Mid-Eastern Conference rival Shenandoah 5-2 on Thursday.
The Class 2A No. 10 Royals haven’t lost since falling to 4A No. 5 New Palestine, 4-3, on March 22. Thursday’s road win improved Eastern Hancock’s season record to 7-1 and 2-0 in the MEC.
On Wednesday, the Royals dismantled visiting Warren Central, 18-0, in five innings behind 15 hits, including five doubles, a triple and two home runs.
Shenandoah provided a bit more of a challenge as the host Raiders grabbed a 2-0 lead after the third inning.
However, the Royals rallied back with six hits overall and a three-run top of the sixth to take a 4-2 advantage with another run added in the seventh.
Freshman Brooklyn Willis was the catalyst against Shenandoah, finishing 2-for-4 with a run scored, three RBI and a home run.
Caroline Stapleton went 2-for-3, Sammie Bolding was 1-for-3, Kaylee Stewart finished 1-for-4 and both Grace Stapleton and Taylor Koch had key RBIs.
Maddie Turner earned the complete-game win, going 7.0 innings with four hits allowed, three walks and 15 strikeouts.
Dragons run-rule Royals
The New Palestine softball team made short work of host Hamilton Southeastern on Thursday, winning 14-2 in five innings.
On Wednesday, the Class 4A No. 5 Dragons defeated No. 12 Franklin Central 10-8 on the road and will face No. 20 Carmel at home today.
The Dragons are now 7-0 on the season and posted 12 hits, including a trio of home runs to knock off No. 18 HSE.
Kinsey Mitchell went 3-for-4 against HSE with an RBI, while Lexi Campbell crushed her second and third home runs in two days to go 2-for-3 with seven RBI on Thursday. Campbell scored two runs and drew a walk. She slugged a solo home run against Franklin Central on Wednesday.
Aglaia Rudd was 1-for-3 with two RBI against HSE, Vivian Long went 1-for-2 with two RBI and a home run. Alexa Holman finished 2-for-3 with a double.
Katie Kottlowski earned the win, pitching 5.0 innings with one walk, two strikeouts and two earned runs charged.
Marauders win fifth straight
The Mt. Vernon softball team posted its fourth run-rule victory this season to claim its fifth straight win on Wednesday.
The Class 4A Marauders defeated visiting Connersville, 23-13, in six innings after an 11-run final frame.
Connersville led 8-3 after three innings, but the Marauders cut the deficit 8-7 after the fourth inning and pulled ahead 12-9 following the fifth.
Connersville regained the lead 13-12 after the top of the sixth until the Marauders put the Spartans away for good.
Mt. Vernon is now 6-1 on the season.
The Marauders tallied 22 hits against the Spartans with 16 RBI, drew six walks and connected for four extra-base hits.
Haley Kissee finished 2-for-4 with four RBI, two runs and a home run. Macey Cox went 1-for-5 with two runs and three RBI.
Eastern Wampler was 3-for-5 with an RBI, a double and a triple. Drew Fithian clubbed a home run to go 3-for-5 with four runs scored and two RBI.
Riley Hasseld was a perfect 5-for-5 with five runs and two RBI. Maddie Taylor went 3-for-5 with two runs and an RBI.
Mia Robbins, Molly Buck and Allison Myers each drove in a run apiece.
Karlee Franklin picked up the win, pitching 3.1 innings with two earned runs charged against her, one walk and four strikeouts.
Cougars drop second straight
The Greenfield-Central softball team lost to host Fishers, 10-0, in five innings on Thursday.
The Cougars (6-2) opened the season 6-0. They lost their first game of the year at Noblesville on Monday, 13-3, in six innings.
Greenfield-Central was limited to one hit against the Tigers with Lilly Stewart going 1-for-1 with a walk.
The Cougars will look to bounce back tonight at home against Indianapolis Scecina at 5:30 p.m.
