JASPER – New Palestine is headed to tonight’s 7 p.m. championship game.
With an 8-0 win against Tri-West in the 11 a.m. Jasper semistate semifinal, the Dragons are one win away from their second straight state final appearance.
Tri-West got its first three batters of the game on base with a leadoff single, infield error and a walk in the first inning. Mackenzie Jones kept the Bruins off the board, though, as her sister Michaela Jones caught a runner attempting to steal, and a flyout and groundout ended the inning.
Mackenzie Jones and the Dragons defense shut the Bruins down from there, allowing just three total hits in the game.
The Dragons opened the scoring with two outs in the second inning. With runners on first and second from walks, TeTe Hart singled to drive in the first run of the game. Jaylin Calvert doubled to bring another run across, and Ashley Prange smacked a two-RBI single to clear the bases.
New Palestine added another pair of runs in the fourth inning. A walk to Calvert was followed by a double from Prange and singles from Emily O’Connor – her third hit of the game – and Michaela Jones.
Two more runs in the sixth inning, off Macy Miller and Emma Tucher RBI singles, gave the Dragons their final runs.
New Palestine was led offensively by Emily O’Connor, who went 3 for 3 with a walk, a double and two singles with one run and one RBI. Ashley Prange led the way with two RBIs. Prange, Michaela Jones, Miller and Hart each had a pair of hits.
Mackenzie Jones pitched a complete six innings, striking out two, walking one and allowing three hits.