Greenfield-Central’s Megan Wineinger gets a hit against Elwood on Monday, April 4, 2022.
Tom Russo | Daily Reporter
RUSHVILLE — Something had to give, and it wasn’t the Greenfield-Central softball team.
Aiming to put an end to their three-game losing streak, the visiting Cougars succeeded on Thursday, defeating Rushville, 5-4, on a walk-off hit.
The Cougars improved to 5-3 on the season after dropping their last three contests by a margin of 42-28, including a 17-15 loss at Zionsville on Friday.
The Cougars’ offense stepped up, tying the game 3-3 in the bottom of the fourth inning after trailing early and drove in the decisive run in the seventh.
The game was deadlocked twice, including at 4-4 following the fifth inning.
Olivia Roberts was the catalyst at the plate, finishing 2-for-4 with three RBI and a game-ending double.
Ella Redman went 1-for-3 with an RBI, and Leileanna Faitele (1-for-1) had the team’s other RBI.
Makenna Rankins (1-for-3), Megan Wineinger (1-for-1, three runs, three stolen bases) and Addison Herrin (1-for-3) accounted for the rest of Greenfield-Central’s seven total hits.
Faith Butler earned the win, pitching seven innings with eight hits surrendered, one earned run and two strikeouts.
The Cougars travel to Indianapolis Lutheran next with the first pitch scheduled for 5:30 p.m. today.
Baseball
Dragons fall at Southport
The New Palestine baseball team dropped a 4-3 decision Thursday at Southport.
The Dragons outhit their hosts 9-6, but were unable to plate the tying run after the Cardinals took a lead with two runs in the bottom of the third.
After falling behind 2-0 in the second, the Dragons rallied with three runs in the top of the third to take a lead. Back-to-back singles by Carter Stogsdill and Zayden Stiller led off the inning. With two outs, Wes Stiller drilled a two-run triple to right, followed by an RBI double by Caleb Davis.
Southport scored two runs on three hits in the bottom of the third to re-take the lead.
The Dragons had baserunners in the fifth and sixth and left two men on in the seventh, but did not advance a runner past second base.
Zayden Stiller led the Dragons’ nine-hit attack, going 3-for-3 with a walk. Stogsdill was 1-for-4. Wes Stiller was 1-for-3 with a triple, a run and two RBI. Caleb Davis was 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Maddox Manes, Ben Yoder and Charlie Giesler also had hits for the Dragons.
Nolan Cox allowed five hits and four earned runs through 2.1 innings, while Adam Rickey threw 3.2 innings of scoreless relief, allowing one hit and striking out four.
The Dragons (5-4) are next in action at 10 a.m. Saturday at home against Franklin Central.
Marauders drop second straight
The Mt. Vernon baseball team trailed early and never recovered, losing to host Hamilton Southeastern, 6-3, on Thursday night.
The Marauders were outhit 10-5, as the host Royals (5-7) built a 4-0 lead after three innings and went up 6-1 after five frames before Mt. Vernon rallied for two runs late.
Gavin Johnston finished 1-for-3 with an RBI and a double. Landon Clark drove in a run on a sacrifice, and Gavin Sullivan was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Eli Bridenthal drew a walk, scored a run and stole two bases.
Nathan Criss absorbed the tough loss, going four innings with seven hits surrendered, a walk, four earned runs charged and four strikeouts. Konnor Scheidt entered in relief and threw two innings with two hits allowed, two earned runs and three strikeouts.
Mt. Vernon lost at rival New Palestine, 8-2, on Wednesday. With Thursday’s loss, the Marauders drop to 6-4 on the season.
Golf
Dragons beat Tigers
The New Palestine golf team shot a consistent round to beat Triton Central, 171-213, Thursday at Hawk’s Tail.
Evan Griffith led the Dragons with a 41. Gus Walling and Alex Cofer each shot 43s. Braeden Baker and Landon Beaty each shot 44s.
The Dragons are back in action Monday with a match at Hawk’s Tail against Greenwood Christian.
