New Palestine High School

The New Palestine softball team took an early lead, but succumbed to a late Cathedral rally in a 4-1 loss Saturday in the semifinal game of the Jasper semistate. The Dragons, who dropped a matchup of the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the state, finished their season 26-5, having won their second straight and 12th overall regional title. The Dragons got things going early, as Katie Hirschy drew a two-out walk in the first inning. Maddie Engle's single moved her into scoring position and Amber Hurt's line-drive single to center gave the Dragons a 1-0 lead. The Dragons again threatened in the second, putting two runners on with one out on a walk to Kenna Tweedy and a base hit by Catherine Trebley and the top of the order coming up. But a groundout and a popout ended the threat. From there, the Dragons would have two baserunners. In the third, Engle had a one-out single but a line-drive doubleplay ended the inning. The only other baserunner would be from a two-out single by Hurt in the sixth inning. Sadey Hughbanks was dealing early, retiring the first seven batters she faced before pitching around a single and a walk in the third inning. She again retired the Irish in order in the fourth. But Cathedral struck in the fifth. A one-out walk and a double put runners in scoring position. After a popout, a walk to the leadoff batter loaded the bases. The next hitter delivered a bases-clearing triple. Cathedral added a home run in the sixth to extend its lead. Both teams had five hits on the day. Engle and Hurt both went 2-for-3, with Hurt driving in a run. Trebley was 1-for-3. In the circle, Hughbanks allowed five hits and four earned runs. She struck out six.