New Palestine High School

The New Palestine softball team used a 14-run fifth inning Tuesday to break open a 21-2 five-inning victory over New Castle. The Dragons improved to 9-2 overall and 3-0 in Hoosier Heritage Conference play with the victory. The Dragons led 3-2 going into the fourth, but scored four times in the fourth before exploding in the fifth. Allie Blum finished a double shy of the cycle, as she was 4-for-5 with a triple, a homer, five runs and five RBI. Aglaia Rudd was also 3-for-4 with a double, a run and three RBI, helping pace a 19-hit attack. The Dragons needed just two batters to take a lead, as Rudd singled, followed by Blum's triple. Alyssa Mumaw's groundout plated Blum. In the third, Blum singled and scored on an error to put the Dragons up 3-0. New Castle cut the lead to 3-2 in the third, but the Dragons answered quickly. Ella Holman hit a one-out solo homer to center. With two outs, the Dragons added on, as Sydney Oliver singled and scored on Rudd's double. Blum then reached on a three-base error, plating another run, and she scored on a grounder hit by Mumaw. In the fifth, Reese Rosenbaum led off with a double. Kayla Bain followed with an infield single. Rosenbaum scored on a passed ball. After a walk, Nyla Lewis drove in a run with an infield single, Rudd followed with a two-run single, Blum a run-scoring single. Katie Hirschy reached on an error, plating another run. Rosenbaum, Bain, Holman, Sydney Hughbanks and Lewis all followed with singles. An error allowed another run to come home before Blum hit a three-run homer. Rosembaum was 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI. Bain was 2-for-4 with two runs. Holman was 2-for-4 with a solo homer, two runs and two RBI. Hughbanks was 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI. Lewis was 2-for-2 with two runs and two RBI. Oliver was 1-for-2 with a run. Engle was 1-for-3. Mumaw drove in two runs. Sadey Hughbanks was the winning pitcher, with 2 2/3 hitless, scoreless innings of relief. She struck out three. Kenna Tweedy scattered four hits in 2 1/3 innings as the starter. The Dragons are next in action Wednesday at home against No. 1 Center Grove.