New Palestine High School

Maddie Engle's first-inning grand slam Monday set the tone for the New Palestine softball team in a 14-4 five-inning victory over Noblesville. The Dragons plated eight runs in the opening frame, highlighted by the grand slam, scoring five before an out was recorded. The first two Dragons reached on errors. Alyssa Mumaw then doubled home the first run. After a walk loaded the bases, Engle slammed an 0-2 pitch over the leftfield fence for a grad slam to put NP up 5-0. The Dragons continued to add on - a walk and a hit batter set the table for Sydney Oliver, whose RBI groundout extended the lead. Aglaia Rudd loaded the bases with a hit and Allie Blum hit a two-run single to push the score to 8-0. A doubleplay ended the threat, but the Dragons would continue to add on. In the second, Paige Ernstes led off with a single and scored on Ella Holman's base hit. Nyla Lewis then followed with a two-run homer to left to push the lead to 11-1. Noblesville homered twice in the third to cut the lead to 11-4. In the fourth, the Dragons struck when Sydney Hughbanks drew a two-out walk and Holman followed with a two-run homer to center. The Dragons then walked the game off in the fifth when Rudd hit a one-out single and scored on Mumaw's double to center. Courtney Study earned the win, scattering eight hits and four runs in five innings. She struck out one. At the plate, Rudd went 2-for-4, Mumaw was 2-for-4 with two doubles, a run and two RBI. Holman was 2-for-3 with two runs, two RBI and a homer. Blum was 1-for-3 with a run and two RBI. Ernstes was 1-for-2 with two runs. Engle was 1-for-3 with a grand slam. Lewis was 1-for-2 with a two-run homer and two runs scored. Oliver was 1-for-3 with a run and an RBI. The Dragons outhit Noblesville 11-8. The Dragons are now 8-2 on the season. They next play Tuesday at HHC foe New Castle.