New Palestine High School

A four-run first inning was all the New Palestine softball needed Thursday in a 4-3 victory at Pendleton Heights. Sadey Hughbanks delivered a two-run single to key the first frame, and also pitched a complete-game victory. She scattered nine hits and struck out five. The Dragons are now 20-2 on the season and 5-1 in Hoosier Heritage Conference play. They clinched their 22nd straight 20-win season, dating to 2003. The Dragons' big inning began when Jersi Gross and Payton Dye led off with singles. Katie Hirschy followed witih a base hit to plate Gross and give the Dragons the lead. Dye moved to third on the play, and Hirschy soon stole second to put two runners in scoring position. After a lineout, Hughbanks stepped in and delivered a two-run single. Kylee Beranek followed with a two-out RBI triple to extend the lead to 4-0. It would be all the offense the Dragons would need, although PH's potent offense tried to claw back. A doubleplay ended the first, but the Arabians hit a leadoff homer and added another run on two hits in the second to cut the lead to 4-2. The Dragons left the bases loaded in the third for their best chance to add to the lead. PH clawed another run back in the fifth on three hits, but the Dragons stranded the tying run at third base. PH had a baserunner in each the sixth and seventh, but Hughbanks nailed the game down. NP outhit PH 10-9. Kenna Tweedy was 2-for-4 and Kylee Beranek 2-for-3 with a triple and an RBI. Gross was 1-for-3 with a run. Dye was 1-for-4 with a run. Hirschy 1-for-4 with a run and an RBI. Maddie Engle was 1-for-3. Hughbanks was 1-for-4 with two RBI. Amber Hurt had a pinch-hit double. The Class 3A No. 1 Dragons are next in action Saturday, as they travel to Munster for a three-team doubleheader. They face 4A No. 10 Munster to start the day, then will meet 4A No. 3 Crown Point. After the weekend, the Dragons will have faced seven of the top 10 teams in the current 4A poll.