New Palestine High School

The Class 3A No. 3 New Palestine softball team used a strong pitching performance from senior Sadey Hughbanks Wednesday to beat Franklin Central 6-1. The Dragons improved to 5-0 with the victory. Hughbanks scattered four hits and struck out 12 in the complete-game victory in the circle. She did not allow an earned run. The Dragons' bats again delivered as the game went on. NP had 11 hits and took command with a three-run fourth inning. Three hits in the first led to a run, as Claire Fitzgerald's single plated Payton Dye. FC scored an unearned run in the second, but the Dragons quickly answered as Hughbanks led off with a walk. She was forced at second on a grounder by Tessa Mohr, but Mohr would later move into scoring position on Dye's single and score on an error. The Dragons took comand in the fourth. Cara Steele led off with a single and Dye followed with a one-out walk. Saydie Miller drove them both in with a triple to center, and then came home on Amber Hurt's hit, putting the Dragons up 5-1. Three hits led to an insurance run in the sixth, as Kenna Tweedy's single up the middle plated Claire Fitzgerald. Hurt led the Dragons at the plate, going 3-for-3 with an RBI. Dye (2-3, 2R), Fitzgerald (2-4, run, RBI) and Steele (2-3) also had two hits each. Miller was 1-for-4 with a triple, a run and two RBI. Tweedy was 1-for-4 with an RBI. The Dragons continue a busy five-games-in-five-days stretch Thursday at home against Hamilton Southeastern.