Daily Reporter staff reports
The Mt. Vernon softball team picked up its first two wins of the season Saturday in Fortville, defeating Indianapolis Lutheran 6-5 and 10-7.
In the opening contest, Mt. Vernon answered the Saints’ three-run first inning with a run of its own in each of the third, fourth and fifth innings to knot the game at 3-3.
Lauren Montgomery broke the tie and put the Marauders ahead for good when she swatted a three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to give Mt. Vernon a 6-3 lead. She finished the game 3 for 4 with those three RBIs.
Mt. Vernon’s Morgan Moss went 2 for 2 in the victory, scoring a pair of runs.
In Game 2, Kristin Connors and Kylie Lyons chipped in three hits each in helping the Marauders stave of the Saints (1-2).
Connors knocked in two, while Lyons’ sixth-inning, three-run homer proved the difference in the game.
Sadie Baugh notched a couple of hits, including a home run, as she registered two RBIs.
Mt. Vernon (2-1) heads back to the diamond tonight when it visits Hoosier Heritage Conference rival Yorktown (3-1). This will be both squad’s first conference title of the season.
New Palestine keeps perfect record with win vs. Roncalli
New Palestine’s home-opener Monday night was a smashing success as it cruised past Roncalli 12-2.
Adie Lorsung led the offensive onslaught against the Rebels (4-2), going 3 for 4 with a home run, a double and six RBIs.
Abby O’Connor also delivered a long ball, and Issy Hoyt went 3 for 4. She and Casey Lehman each collected doubles. Lehman knocked in a pair.
The Dragons are now 4-0 and 4 for 4 on the season in games ending prematurely because of the 10-run rule. They have outscored opponents 65-5.
The Dragons will look to keep on rolling Wednesday at home against Franklin Central (1-1).
Cougars win pair during weekend, fall in 1 game
Greenfield-Central pushed its winning streak to four Saturday with a pair of home wins against Warren Central.
That was where the run would end, however, as the Cougars fell to the Millers 3-2 on Monday night.
On Saturday, the Cougars (4-1) took the first contest 5-2 and the second 8-5.
In Game 1, Darcie Huber (2-0) struck out 12 Warriors (1-5) and allowed just two unearned runs in her complete game victory. She now has 25 strikeouts in two starts this season.
Huber also led the way on offense for Greenfield-Central, collecting three hits, including a home run and two RBIs.
Madeline Gibson added a couple of hits as did Morganne Denny. Denny also scored two runs.
In the second game of the doubleheader, the Cougars came back from down four to pick up the win.
Huber again led the Cougars’ offensive charge. She hit another home run, giving her four on the year (one in each of the first four games of the season). She also laced a double, scored three runs and collected two more RBIs.
Denny and Erika Knapp also contributed a pair of hits, including a double each. Knapp scored two runs.
Mikayla Durick (1-0) picked up the win for Greenfield-Central, pitching 5.1 innings and giving up four earned runs. Sydney Williams earned the save, her first of the season.
On Monday, Noblesville (4-0) ended the Cougars streak with its 3-2 victory.
In defeat, Deena Miller went 3 for 3, while Michaela Ballman went 1 for 3 with an RBI.
Ballman also pitched a complete game, allowing seven hits and striking out one.
The Cougars play again Wednesday at Westfield.
Royals’ offense sputters against Hauser Jets
Eastern Hancock struggled to put runs on the board during Saturday’s 5-1 loss at Hauser.
The Royals loss to their Mid-Hoosier Conference foe was their second of the season and their first in league play. They are now 1-2 overall.
The Jets improved to 3-1 and a perfect 3-0 in the MHC.
Eastern Hancock will try to rebound today against Knights-town (1-1).
BASEBALL
Shenandoah edges Eastern Hancock
A four-run Raiders fifth inning proved to be the difference Saturday in Middletown, as Shenandoah slipped past the Royals 4-3.
Eastern Hancock starter Tom Barton (0-1) took the loss despite issuing no earned runs during six innings of work. He struck out four, walked three and allowed seven hits.
Offensively, Garek Ferguson collected three of the Royals’ seven hits, while Barton added two of his own.
Eastern Hancock (1-1) tries again for win No. 2 today at Randolph Southern (0-3). The game is a makeup for the April 8 rainout.
Greenfield-Central falls to Beech Grove
The Cougars out-hit the Hornets 9-5 but could not outscore them Monday night, falling 11-8 at Greenfield-Central.
The blue and gold jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but Beech Grove responded with four of its own in the bottom half of the frame.
The Cougars then grabbed a 5-4 lead in the third, scoring three runs on four singles, but again, they could not hold it for long.
The Hornets put up six in the bottom of the fourth to take a 10-5 lead they would never relinquish.
Slater Rush would add a solo home run to highlight a three-run Cougars’ fifth, but it was too little too late.
The Cougars host Scecina on Wednesday.
New Palestine game vs. Falcons postponed
The Dragons’ (4-1) contest at Perry Meridian (1-3) was rained out Monday night and has been rescheduled for Thursday.
Lawrence Central blanks Mt. Vernon
The Marauders could only muster three hits Monday night as they fell 6-0 at Lawrence Central (4-2).
Noah Powell, Zach Spears and Christian Smith collected a hit each in the loss.
“That kid we faced was dealing,” first-year Mt. Vernon coach Ryan Carr said of the Lawrence Central starting pitcher after the game. “He had a pretty good fastball and a good slider, and we just didn’t make the adjustment.”
Sophomore Mitch McCarthy started for Mt. Vernon, pitched 4.1 innings and allowed three earned runs.
Mt. Vernon (2-3) gets a chance to “right the ship” today at Shenandoah (3-3).
GOLF
Dragons golfers open season at invitational
The Dragon boys golf team opened its season Saturday at the Yorktown Invitational.
New Palestine shot a 380 four-player aggregate for the 18 holes to finish 10th in the 12-team event.
Brady Elliott led the Dragons with an 84. Blake Barnette shot 91, Elijah Domogala 102 and Brody Harter 103.
The Dragons compete again today against Hancock County rival Greenfield-Central and Whiteland.
TENNIS
Dragons shut down New Castle in 1st match
The New Palestine tennis team opened its season Friday with a 5-0 victory against New Castle.
At singles, Alana Henry (6-3, 6-1), Amelia Fleetwood (6-0, 6-1) and Hannah Taggart (7-5, 6-4) all won in straight sets.
At doubles, Jamie Mittman/Lauren Hardebeck (6-0, 6-1) and Katie Settergren/Emily Birch (6-0, 6-1) also had straight-set victories.
The Dragon JV team won 6-0.
The Dragons compete again today against Triton Central.
Southwestern, Golden Eagles sweep Royals
The Royals are off to a tough start this season, as they fell 5-0 against the Golden Eagles in Friday’s season-opener and 5-0 versus Southwestern on Monday night.
They will try to get into the win column Wednesday, when they host New Castle.
Greenfield-Central match postponed
The Cougars’ home match against Hoosier Heritage Conference rival Delta was rained out Monday. A makeup date has yet to be scheduled.
