New Palestine High School

A nine-run first inning Monday powered the New Palestine baseball team to a 13-7 home victory over 3A No. 9 Cathedral. The Dragons jumped ahead 9-2, and then put the game away with two runs each in the fifth and sixth after Cathedral had cut the lead to two runs. The top of the order dida lot of damage for the Dragons, as Gavin Neal and Jacob Morris were each 3-4 with two runs, two RBI and a double. Colin Workman was 2-for-3 with two runs, three RBI and a triple. Kingston Hedges (1-4, 2B, R, RBI), Haydon Mills (1-3, R) and Isaac Gauthier (1-1) also had hits for the Dragons. The Dragons surrendered two runs in the first on one hit, but immediately responded in the bottom of the inning. Singles by Neal and Morris and a walk to Hedges loaded the bases. A three-base error cleared the bases and allowed Marshall Giant - who was given an RBI with a sacrifice fly - to reach third. Walks to Mills and Brogan Reveles again loaded the bases, and Workman cleared them with a three-run triple, putting the Dragons up 6-2. After two strikeouts, the top of the order came up again, and Neal, Morris and Hedges all delivered consecutive RBI doubles to extned the lead to 9-2. Cathedral scored three times in the third on back-to-back RBI doubles, and twice more in the fifth on three hits, cutting the Dragons' lead to 9-7. Jordan Barringer came on in relief and induced a flyout to Reveles in left, who in turn cut down a runner trying to advance to second for an inning-ending doubleplay. But the Dragons had a response. Hughes drew a one-out walk and Gauthier - pinch-hitting - followed with a bunt single. An errant pickoff throw brought home a run, and Neal reached on another error to plate another, putting the Dragons up 11-7. After Barringer retired the Irish in order in the top of the inning, three consecutive walks loaded the bases in the bottom of the frame. Eli Whiteside drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, and after a walk to Neal, Morris drew a bases-loaded walk to force in a run. Barringer then pitched around a one-out walk to fan the last two batters he faced to end the game. Alex Andrews earned the win with 4 1/3 innings of strong pitching. He scattered eight hits, two earned runs and struck out one. Barringer finished with 2 2/3 innings of perfect relief, striking out four and surrendering only one baserunner - via walk - to earn the save. The Dragons are now 13-7 on the season. They next play Tuesday at Pendleton Heights.