New Palestine’s Jacob Morris had three hits, including a pair of doubles, and four RBI in an 8-6 victory at Scecina Monday.
The Daily Reporter File Photo
Led by a five-run third inning, New Palestine’s baseball team defeated host Scecina 8-6 Monday.
The Dragons improved to 18-5 with the win.
Jacob Morris had three hits, including two doubles, and four RBI. Gavin Neal and Ben Hirschy each added three hits and an RBI.
Adam Rickey scored two runs, drove in one, and finished the game off to earn a save. He pitched 1.2 innings and struck out two.
Henry Thorpe was the winning pitcher. He struck out three, walked two, and gave up seven hits and five earned runs in 5.1 innings pitched.
New Palestine is scheduled to wrap up Hoosier Heritage Conference play this week. The Dragons had a home game slated for Tuesday and road game today against New Castle.
Royals win sectional preview
In a matchup of first-round sectional opponents, Eastern Hancock’s baseball team defeated Northeastern 8-6 at Northeastern High School Monday.
The Royals win was keyed by a seven-run fourth inning.
Carson Borden had a home run, two RBI and finished off the game by pitching the final two innings.
Gavin Jenkins was the winning pitcher. He threw five innings and had four strikeouts. He gave up six earned runs, seven hits and two walks. At the plate, Jenkins had two hits, including a double, and an RBI.
Brayden Sullivan had two hits, with a double and an RBI. Jalen Helderbrand drove in two runs and Colton Dishman had an RBI. Chase Stewart hit a double.
Eastern Hancock (10-15) and Northeastern (12-9) will meet next week in an opening round game of the Shenandoah Sectional.
The Royals are wrapping up regular-season play this week. They were scheduled to travel to Wes-Del Tuesday and host Muncie Burris Thursday.
Softball
Marauders win big
Mt. Vernon’s softball team improved to 7-11 with a 20-0 victory over visiting Anderson Monday.
Easton Wampler went 2-for-3 with a home run, four RBI and three runs scored. Shelby Rakosky went 3-for-4 and scored four runs. Ainsley Baer had three hits, including a double, and two RBI.
Lillian Jenkins and Graci Hines each had two hits and two RBI. Mikayla Oger went 3-for-3.
The Marauders had 16 hits.
Aubrey Lowe and Hines combined on a two-hitter. Lowe pitched three innings and struck out two. Hines fanned four in two innings of work.
Mt. Vernon is scheduled to play at Warren Central Wednesday.
Dragons blanked by Plainfield
New Palestine’s softball team lost a 4-0 decision, at home, to Plainfield Monday.
Scoreless after four innings, Plainfield (20-6) scored three times in the top of the fifth inning.
New Palestine (18-3) had just three hits. Allie Blum hit a double and Paige Ernstes and Sydney Oliver had singles.
Courtney Study struck out four and was the losing pitcher. She went 4.1 innings and gave up three hits and three earned runs. Cailyn Hurst threw 2.2 innings and struck out three and gave up one earned run.
The Dragons travel to Connersville Thursday.
Slow start costly to Cougars
Shelbyville scored all of the game’s runs in the first inning and defeated the Greenfield-Central softball team 4-0, at Shelbyville High School, Monday.
The Cougars are 11-9 overall and finish Hoosier Heritage Conference play 2-5. Shelbyville is 14-8 and 5-2.
G-C’s Addi Heacox came in as a relief pitcher and threw six shutout innings with four strikeouts.
Just two of the four Shelbyville runs were earned runs.
The Cougars had three hits, one each from Allison Hornaday, Savvanna Riall, and Charlotte Riehle (double).
Greenfield-Central travels to Carmel Thursday.
Girls tennis
G-C wins regular season finale
The Greenfield-Central girls tennis team finished its regular season 8-9 with a 4-1 victory over Pendleton Heights Monday.
At No. 1 singles, Kate Gilkison took the first point by winning 6-2, 6-1.
No. 2 singles player Tanessa O’Neal was second off the courts after a 6-2, 6-2 victory.
The third point of the match came from the No. 1 doubles team of Lauren Haffner and Hallie Smith. They won 6-2, 6-0.
The fourth victory was from the No. 2 doubles team of Anna McQueeney and Carly Means, 6-2, 6-4.
The team opens sectional play today at Mt. Vernon with a 4:30 p.m. match against Eastern Hancock.
Recruiting news
New Pal athletes choose schools
Announced on the school’s social media platforms, four New Palestine high school football players and one track and field/cheer athlete have recently signed or committed to continue their athletic and academic careers at the collegiate level.
Dragon receiver/back Kyler Kropp will be a preferred walk-on (PWO) at Indiana University.
Hancock County Offensive Player of the Year, running back Grayson Thomas, made his commitment to the University of Dayton official.
Defensive back/receiver Micah Clark signed with Trine University and defensive back Brady Armstrong will play football at Wabash College.
Cheerleader/pole vaulter Rebecca Johnson signed with Heidelberg University in Ohio.
Cougars to college
Announced on the school’s social media outlets, Greenfield-Central mulit-sport standout Kirk Knecht has signed to continue his academics and track and field career at Miami of Ohio.
Two-time Hancock County volleyball player of the year Mya Grigsby has signed with IU-Kokomo.
