New Palestine High School

New Palestine junior Holden Hughes pitched a gem of a game Tuesday, but an unearned run in the first inning gave Shelbyville the offense it needed in a 1-0 baseball victory over the Dragons in the conference opener for both teams. Hughes pitched a complete game, allowing two hits and only four baserunners. He struck out eight Golden Bears. Shelbyville's lone run came in the first inning. Aiden Smith drew a one-out walk after a trio of borderline pitches just missed the zone. He then stole second. With two outs, he broke to steal third. The throw went into leftfield on a missed catch error, allowing Smith to score the game's lone run. Hughes recorded a strikeout to end the inning. Smith, one of the state's top pitchers, took the mound in the bottom of the first with a lead. Gavin Neal greeted him with a two-out single and stole second, but was stranded. The Dragons threatened in each of the first three frames. In the second, Kingston Hedges drew a leadoff walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and then was bunted to third by Eli Whiteside. But Smith struck out the next two batters to end the threat. Jacob Morris and Neal drew back-to-back two-out walks in the third, and each would steal a base to move into scoring position. But a groundout ended the threat. Smith was pulled with one out in the fourth, but reliever Reese Prickett came on and retired the first eight batters he faced. NP's best chance came in the seventh. With one out, Whiteside was hit by a pitch. Carsyn Baker followed with a sharp single to center, sending Whiteside to third. With runners on the corners, the Dragons tried to squeeze, but struck out on a foul bunt. A flyout to left ended the threat and the game. The Dragons had two hits - singles by Neal and Baker - against the two Shelbyville pitchers. They left six runners on base. The Dragons are now 1-2 overall and 0-1 in conference play. The second game of the two-game series against Shelbyville will be May 2 at Victory Field. The Dragons' five-game season-opening homestand continues Thursday at home against Perry Meridian.