New Palestine High School

A six-run sixth inning Wednesday allowed the New Palestine baseball team to rally from an early four-run deficit and beat New Castle 7-4 on the Dragons' Senior Night. The Dragons trailed 4-0 in the third inning, but a rally in which eight consecutive Dragons reached base, leading to six runs, carried them to the victory. Holden Hughes (4-3) had a strong game on the mound. He allowed three hits - all consecutive RBI singles in the third - and two earned runs in the victory. He relieved senior Keegan Fritts after one pitch and went the distance. He retired the last 14 batters he faced in the game. Trailing 4-0, the Dragons scratched across a run in the fifth with a two-out rally, as Jacob Morris singled, moved into scoring position on a walk to Kingston Hedges and then scored on consecutive wild pitches. But the Dragons were able to break through in the sixth. With one out, Mason Monnier reached on an error to start the rally. Pinch-hitter Isaac Gauthier followed with an infield hit. A walk to Gavin Neal loaded the bases. Haydon Mills followed by lining a sharp single to right, plating two runs and cutting the deficit to 4-3. Morris then laced a single through a drawn-in infield to tie the game. Hedges then delivered a third consecutive RBI single past the first baseman to put the Dragons up 5-4. Colin Workman then drew a bases-loaded walk and Eli Whiteside grounded into a fielder's choice to bring home another run. Hughes mowed through the Trojans in the bottom of the inning, ending the game with his seventh strikeout - and sixth called strikeout - of the contest. The Dragons had chances early. A pair of two-out singles in the first created an opportunity that was left wanting. In the second, Whiteside singled and stole second, but was stranded. In the fourth, the Dragons loaded the bases with two out, but a strikeout on a 3-2 pitch ended the threat. New Castle's four runs came as an error and a walk put two runners on and three straight RBI singles - the Trojans' lone hits of the game - followed, plus an RBI groundout. NC would not have a baserunner the rest of the contest. Morris led the Dragons' nine-hit attack, going 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. Hedges was 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI. Mills was 1-for-4 with two RBI. Workman and Whiteside were each 1-for-3 with an RBI. Gauthier was 1-for-1 with a run. The Dragons are now 15-8 on the season and 7-5 in Hoosier Heritage Conference play. They next play Friday at Delta.