New Palestine High School

In a matchup of teams ranked fifth in their respective classes, the New Palestine softball team dropped a 9-3 decision Wednesday at Center Grove. The Dragons jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first, but were held to one hit the rest of the way. Two walks and an error loaded the bases. Claire Fitzgerald cleaned them with a three-run double to right. CG cut the lead to one with two runs on three hits in the bottom of the first. In the second, Callie Crowmwell had a one-out single and advanced to scoring position, but was stranded at second base. The hosts took a 4-3 lead in the third, turning two singles and a walk into two runs. Two more runs came home in the fifth on two singles and a two-run double. A three-run homer in the sixth extended the Trojans' lead. Fitzgerald's three-run double and Cromwell's second-inning single were the Dragons' two hits of the game. NP did draw five walks. Sadey Hughbanks scattered 10 hits and allowed six earned runs over 4 1/3 innings. Cailyn Hurst pitched the final 1 2/3 innings, allowing two hits and two earned runs. She struck out three. THe Dragons are now 9-4 on the season. They next play Thursday at Shelbyville.