NEW PALESTINE — They’re hoping to continue their winning ways, just hoping to do it with a few different people.
New Palestine’s baseball team reached Class 4A’s quarterfinals before being eliminated by Indianapolis Cathedral in the regional championship.
The Dragons went 24-7 last year and had a stretch where they won 18 of 19 games, including a 16-game winning streak.
Eleven seniors graduated from the 2022 group.
Veteran head coach Shawn Lyons believes he still has a very talented group, just not a lot of varsity experience.
“We were really good last year and seven guys are playing college baseball now off of that team,” Lyons said. “I told (the team), under normal years, they would’ve played. We went to the Final 8. It’s unusual they didn’t play last year, but it wasn’t because they weren’t talented. It’s because the guys in front of them were very talented. That’s the challenge for us, to get them to believe they can play varsity baseball.”
Lyons will have a few players that were part of last year’s team and he is hoping they’ll lead the way until the others become more acclimated to varsity baseball.
Ben Morwick, Blaine Nunnally and Wes Stiller, all seniors, were regulars in last year’s lineup.
Morwick, the left fielder last season, was the team’s second leading hitter. He went from starting the year on the junior varsity to hitting .393, second only to Luke Legault (now at Mount St. Joseph) who hit .418. Morwick had a pair of doubles and 19 RBIs hitting in the No. 9 spot in the order.
Nunnally was a shortstop and pitcher last year. He hit .260 with two doubles, a triple and 22 RBIs. He scored 22 runs, fourth most on the team. On the mound, he went 2-1 with a save and a 2.80 earned run average. He struck out 32 in 20 innings pitched.
Stiller was last season’s starting right fielder. He’ll not be available to start the season, but when he returns to the lineup he brings some experience and production. His 101 plate appearances are the most among returnees. He hit .274 with two doubles, two triples, a home run and 16 RBIs. He scored 20 runs.
“We’re going to lean on (Morwick and Nunnally) and Wes Stiller (when he returns),” Lyons said. “They were with us when we won 16 straight and won our sectional and beat Brownsburg in the regional.”
There are others that played some in 2022.
Brayden Marrow saw most of his time last year as a pinch-runner. He scored 24 runs in 29 games, but had just four plate appearances. Lyons calls him an outstanding defender in the outfield.
Left-handed pitcher/outfielder/first baseman Nolan Cox, is a senior that has been on the roster since his sophomore season. He was 2-1 on the mound in five appearance and also had 27 at-bats.
Adam Rickey, seven at-bats last season, is a shortstop candidate when Nunnally is on the hill. Rickey is also part of the pitching staff.
Junior twins Michael Thorpe and Henry Thorpe are expected to be big contributors on the mound. Henry, a left-hander, was the winning pitcher in last year’s regular-season triumph over Cathedral. They combined to throw 19 innings last year. Michael Thorpe is also a candidate to play some second base along with junior Nick Deering.
Jacob Morris is a freshman newcomer that may work his way into the lineup as an infielder. Senior Brock Whitaker could provide a big bat and play some first base and designated hitter, but is currently out for a short period with an injury.
Ben Hirschy (third base/pitcher), Wyatt Matheis (catcher), Jackson Kamp (catcher) and Chase Ankney (pitcher) are all vying for lineup spots.
Lyons added that the program has some other talented freshmen that could be eventual contributors as the season progresses.
“This is kind of unusual,” Lyons said of all the new faces in the lineup. “We don’t ever keep 11 seniors (like last season), but they were great kids and we kept them and they were talented. This year we have to get them believing. If we can do that we can compete.
“I think it’s a getting used to period that our kids will adjust to. All three programs, varsity, JV and freshmen, had great years last year, so we’re hoping to build upon that.”
The Dragons open the season next week by jumping right into Hoosier Heritage Conference play. They play Tuesday at Shelbyville before playing host to the Golden Bears on Wednesday.
“We’re hoping we gain confidence and momentum, and will be playing our best baseball toward the middle and end of May,” Lyons said. “Once we get more comfortable in knowing these guys can compete at the varsity level, I think we’ll be fine.”
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2023 New Palestine Baseball Schedule
Date;Opponent;Time
April 4;at Shelbyville;5:30 p.m.
April 5;vs. Shelbyville;5:30 p.m.
April 8;at Batesville;12 p.m.
April 10;at Perry Meridian;6 p.m.
April 11;vs. Yorktown;6 p.m.
April 12;at Yorktown;6 p.m.
April 15;at Lebanon;1:30 p.m.
April 17;vs. Whiteland;6 p.m.
April 18;vs. Mt. Vernon;6 p.m.
April 19;at Mt. Vernon;6 p.m.
April 20;vs. Southport;5:30 p.m.
April 22;at Franklin Central;10 a.m.
April 24;vs. Knightstown;6 p.m.
April 25;at Greenfield-Central;5:30 p.m.
April 26;vs. Greenfield-Central;5:30 p.m.
April 28;vs. East Central;6 p.m.
May 1;at Warren Central;5:30 p.m.
May 2;vs. Delta;6 p.m.
May 3;at Delta;6 p.m.
May 5;at Connersville;5:30 p.m.
May 9;at Pendleton Heights;6 p.m.
May 10;vs. Pendleton Heights;6 p.m.
May 11;at Cathedral;5:30 p.m.
May 15;vs. Scecina;6 p.m.
May 16;at New Castle;5:30 p.m.
May 17;vs. New Castle;5:30 p.m.
May 18;at Greenwood;5:30 p.m.
