New Palestine High School

The New Palestine softball team hit four homers Thursday in a 13-1 five-inning rout of host Mt. Vernon. The victory improved the Dragons' record to 5-0 and 2-0 in HHC play. Allie Blum, Maddie Engle, Payton Dye and Paige Ernstes all blasted homers in the victory. The Dragons scored in four of their five at-bats in the game. The Dragons got going quickly in the first, as Jersi Gross and Blum led off with walks, setting the stage for Ernstes to hit a three-run homer to left. After walks to Katie Hirschy and Sydney Oliver, Engle roped a line-drive single to center to put the Dragons up 4-0. The Dragons stranded a runner in the second, but added a run in the third when Oliver led off with a double and scored on an error. MV scored in the bottom of the third, but the Dragons quickly answered. Blum led off with a walk, advanced to third on Hirschy's single and scored on a base hit by Oliver, putting NP up 6-1. The Dragons broke it open with a seven-run fifth that featured three homers. Blum started it with a three-run blast to center, plating Ella Holman and Gross, who walked and reached on a bunt single. After two outs, Oliver reached on an error and was along for the ride on Engle's homer. Dye followed with another blast. Miller and Lewis hit back-to-back doubles to plate the 13th run. The Dragons tallied 13 hits, with Blum going 2-for-2 with three runs and three RBI. Engle was 2-for-4 with a run and three RBI. Oliver was 2-for-3 with two runs, a double and an RBI. Gross was 1-for-3 with two runs. Ernstes was 1-for-4 with a three-run homer. Dye homered in her lone at-bat. Miller was 1-for-3 with a double and a run. Lewis was 1-for-1 with a double and a run. Holman was 1-for-2. Courtney Study pitched three innings for the win, allowing three hits and one earned run. Sadey Hughbanks finished the game with two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out two. The Dragons are next in action Friday, when they face Zionsville for a 5:30 p.m. first pitch. The game will be a reunion of the 2004 state championship team. It will be broadcast at NewPalRadio.com.