New Palestine High School

Sadey Hughbanks threw a one-hit shutout Saturday morning, leading the New Palestine softball team to a 2-0 victory over Munster in the first game of a four-team showcase between Indianapolis-area and Region teams at the NPHS diamond. Hughbanks allowed just two baserunners in the pitchers' duel - both in the fourth inning, when the Mustangs had a double and a walk. Hughbanks struck out three batters. She won a tight duel in a game that featured three hits total. The Dragons took a lead without a hit in the second, as Amber Hurt walked, moved to second on a wild pitch, advanced to third on Claire Fitzgerald's groundout and scored on a passed ball on a third strike that would have ended the inning. The Dragons added a run in the fifth when Callie Cromwell reached on a two-base error. After two strikeouts, Morgan Hutchinson drew a walk, bringing Payton Dye to the plate. She delivered a run-scoring single to put the Dragons up 2-0. Dye had both hits for the Dragons - she also had a third-inning single. In the second game of the day, the 3A No. 6 Dragons faced 4A No. 2 Crown Point in a matchup of ranked teams. The contest was again a low-scoring pitcher's duel, but the visiting Bulldogs scored four runs in the sixth inning to beat the Dragons 4-1. Cara Steele hit a solo homer in the second for the Dragons. Their other hit was a leadoff single in the fourth by Saydie Miller. Hughbanks kept the Bulldogs scoreless until the sixth, when a leadoff homer tied the game. A double and a three-base error allowed Crown Point to take the lead. Cailyn Hurst came on to relieve Hughbanks, who was pitching her 13th inning of the day, but after a groundout, another two-run double plated two more runs. Hughbanks took the decision, allowing two earned runs and six hits over 5 1/3 innings. She struck out four batters. Hurst allowed one hit, one run and struck out one over 1 2/3 innings of relief. The Dragons are now 16-7 on the year. They next play Wednesday at Noblesville.