New Palestine High School

The New Palestine softball team began to rally late, but three early runs by Hanover Central gave the Wildcats a lead they wouldn't relinquish, as they defeated the Dragons 6-4 in Friday's IHSAA Class 3A State Finals. The Dragons were making their ninth state championship game appearance. They finished as state runner-up for the third time. Shortstop Saydie Miller was named the IHSAA Mental Attitude Award recipient. The highest honor bestowed by the IHSAA, it goes to an athlete who shows superior academics, athletic ability and mental attitude. She is New Palestine's seventh such recipient for softball and the 11th in all sports. The Dragons finished their season 24-8. The Dragons had a great start and a great finish. They scored two runs in the top of the first, as Callie Cromwell beat out an infield hit and Payton Dye reached on an error. The next two batters made outs, but Cara Steele followed with a long drive to center, plating both runners. It was misplayed on the warning track by the centerfielder and ruled a two-base error. From there, the Dragons struggled to get baserunners against Hanover Central starter Jillian DeYoung for the next four innings. Hanover Central scored a run in the bottom of the first on a pair of two-out hits, and then took the lead in the bottom of the second, taking advantage of three hits, including a two-out, two-run double to go up 3-2. The Dragons were retired in order in the second. Dye drew a walk in the third, but was stranded. In the bottom of the inning, a single and a pair of one-out walks loaded the bases for Hanover Central, but Dragons pitcher Sadey Hughbanks struck out back-to-back batters to keep the deficit at a run. In the fourth, Amber Hurt had a one-out single but was unable to score in the top of the inning. Hanover Central added to its lead, turning a leadoff walk and single into a pair of runs on a sacrifice fly and a pop single to go up 5-2. Hughbanks retired the Wildcats in order in the fifth. In the sixth, the Dragons put two runners on with one out as Claire Fitzgerald and Steele had back-to-back singles, but a flyout and strikeout retired the side. Hanover Central made it 6-2 in the sixth with a pair of singles. In the seventh, the Dragons rallied when down to their final out. Cromwell beat out an infield hit to keep the game alive. Dye followed by roping a double to the left-centerfield fence, plating Cromwell. Miller then grounded a single up the middle to push across another run and bring the tying run to the plate. DeYoung's 11th strikeout ended the game. The Dragons were outhit 10-7. Cromwell was 2-for-4 with two runs. Dye was 1-for-3 with two runs, a double and an RBI. Miller was 1-for-4 with an RBI. Fitzgerald was 1-for-4. Steele and Hurt were both 1-for-3. Hughbanks scattered 10 hits, six earned runs and struck out seven in a complete game. She fanned the last batter she faced.