Latest news with #NewPalestine
Indianapolis Star
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
IHSAA softball's first-year standouts: These Central Indiana freshmen debuted with a bang
From key contributors amidst deep postseason runs to rising stars who've already begun establishing themselves among the state's best softball players, these were some of Central Indiana's top-performing freshmen. The first-year hurler went 7-4 in her first season, posting a 3.42 ERA and totaling 144 strikeouts over 88 innings. She held opposing batters to a .244 average and posted a pair of five-inning shutouts. Braun also went the distance in a 12-inning win over Bishop Chatard, allowing just one earned run on three hits with 19 strikeouts. She also hit .383 with 23 hits, 19 runs, 13 RBIs, two homers and nine steals. Corn smashed seven home runs to tie the school's single-season record (fun fact: her first career homer was a grand slam). She finished the season batting .471 with 40 hits, 11 doubles and three triples, plus 34 RBIs, 39 runs and a .520 OBP. Corn played multiple positions in the field, but was primarily at second and third (.915 fielding percentage on 71 chances). State finalists and record-setters: These are Indy-area softball's top sophomores Farr batted .330 in her debut with 30 hits (11 doubles), 18 RBIs and 15 runs scored. She stole a base and converted all 27 chances in the field (25 putouts, two assists). Hazelwood made an immediate splash with the 3A state champion Irish, posting a .404 average with 40 hits, 36 runs and 18 RBIs. She logged six doubles and two triples (one of which lifted Cathedral to a semistate semifinal win over New Palestine), and posted a .482 OBP. Hazelwood went 16-for-17 on steal attempts and registered 35 assists and five double plays in the field. 'She's the real deal' Cathedral freshman has 'mentality of upperclassman' and skills to match. Hittle batted a team-best .544 with 37 hits, 33 runs and 32 RBIs. Her collection of hits included 10 homers, two triples and three doubles, she was perfect on 55 chances in the field and stole seven bases. The state semifinalist Saints' lead-off hitter, Langston posted a .460 OBP and .369 average with 31 hits, 11 RBIs, 35 runs, three doubles and a triple. She stole 30 bases — a school record for a freshman — and struck out just 14 times. Langston finished the season with a .905 fielding percentage. An all-conference honoree, Lutz batted .424 with 36 hits (11 doubles, four triples, seven homers), 41 runs and 32 RBIs. She stole 11 bases and was lights out in her 10.2 innings pitched, going 2-0 with a 0.66 ERA (one earned run allowed, four total) and 13 strikeouts (40 batters faced). Polston collected four wins and struck out 15 hitters over 30.2 innings pitched. She was among the Hawks' top hitters, batting .395 with 32 hits, 22 runs and 33 RBIs (second-most on the team). Her collection of hits included four doubles, three triples and seven home runs, and she also stole five bases. Riley was sidelined due to injury late in the season. She pitched 47 innings across 11 appearances in the circle, going 6-2 with a save and a 2.68 ERA. She struck out 66 batters and issued just 11 walks with a .201 batting average against. Schroering shined as the Bulldogs' ace, going 11-2 with a 2.70 ERA and 52 strikeouts over 91.2 innings pitched. She held opposing hitters to a .214 batting average and led Brownsburg to a sectional runner-up finish. Whiston batted .388, tallying 31 hits (six doubles, one triple), 16 runs and 14 RBIs in 26 games. She pitched 12 innings, compiling a 2.33 ERA, striking out 12 and limiting opposing hitters to a .196 batting average. A .380 hitter, Wilkerson tallied 27 hits, 24 runs and 15 RBIs over 71 at-bats. She swiped six bases and was very dependable in the field, converting 46 putouts and an assist on 50 chances (.940). The Golden Eagles' only pitcher, Augustinovicz logged 99.2 innings in her debut season, striking out 88 batters with a .292 batting average against and 4.92 ERA. At the plate, she batted .370 with 12 runs and four RBIs. Cope anchored the CC outfield, registering putouts on 29 of 30 chances with a double play and only one error. She was a key presence at the plate, as well, notching 32 hits (.386 average), 22 runs and 20 RBIs. She stole six bases. A multi-sport standout, Dittemore was among the Eels' top hitters, logging a .585 average that included 31 hits, 18 runs and 13 RBIs. She struck out just six times in 58 plate appearances and tallied six doubles and four triples. She rounded out her notable stats with five steals and a .909 fielding percentage. Engleking batted .391, collecting 27 hits, 23 RBIs and 14 runs. She drew seven walks, stole five bases and struck out 59 batters in 52.1 innings in the circle. Vaeth batted .419 with 26 hits, 18 runs and 19 RBIs. Her collection of hits included four doubles and a triple. She also held a fielding percentage of .975 with only three errors on 118 chances. Capable of playing multiple positions, Hilliard batted .364 through the first 21 games of her career, collecting 20 hits, 16 RBIs and 17 runs. She doubled five times, drew nine walks and stole 12 bases. Holt collected 26 hits (.347) with six doubles, a triple and two homers. She drove in 13 runs and scored twice herself, and was among the team's most dependable fielders, committing just two errors on 164 chances with 14 assists and a double play. Hughes had not played shortstop consistently before starting at the position every game this season for the regional champs. She recorded 30 putouts and 42 assists on 74 chances with two double plays. She settled in as the team's No. 9 hitter, batting .333 with 12 RBIs, a double, a triple and 27 runs scored. Maynard batted .304 in her debut, picking up 28 hits with six doubles, two triples and three homers. Her efforts at the plate resulted in 23 runs scored and 27 RBIs. She also swiped eight bases and was nearly flawless in the field with a .990 fielding percentage (two errors on 199 total chances). Olson settled in as a first-year catcher, compiling a .991 fielding percentage with only two errors, six caught stealing and four pickoffs. She batted .329 with six doubles, 19 RBIs and 23 runs scored, plus a .453 OBP. The Mohawks' leading hitter, Rogers batted .559 across 13 games, tallying 19 hits, 16 RBIs and scoring 12 runs. She doubled six times, tripled twice, and also swiped four bases. Rogers broke out for three hits, five RBIs and four runs scored in a 29-24 loss to Indiana Deaf in late April. Wheat played one JV game then made the jump to varsity, batting .415 over 256 games with 27 hits, 27 runs and 12 RBIs. She doubled three times, tripled four times and homered during that stretch and also stole 16 bases. White notched 23 hits with a .333 average for the Bruins. She tallied 21 runs and 14 RBIs, stole 10 bases and committed just two errors on 41 chances in the field (.951). Wolfe went 29-for-60 (.558) at the plate, scoring 20 runs and driving in 20 RBIs. She collected seven doubles, two triples and two home runs, and stole 11 bases in 17 games. Avon: Ada Dittemore; Brebeuf: Lila Epstein; Franklin Central: Maddie Baker, Olivia Starr; Guerin Catholic: Jillian Davis; Hamilton Southeastern: Sophia Feher; Indiana Deaf: Madison Dray; Mt. Vernon: Lexi D'Angelo; Park Tudor: Rachel Cudworth, Elle Feltman; Southport: Rachel Pfieffer, Warren Central: Julie Dever, Kennedi Nicholson; Westfield: Reese Gettinger, Cam Pulice; Whiteland: Addison Smith
Indianapolis Star
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Why Cathedral is playing for 3A title: Chemistry, speed and unsung heroes
INDIANAPOLIS — There are pieces missing from the Cathedral softball trophy case, notable absences amidst the numerous City crowns, 22 sectional championships and seven regional titles. The Irish secured the first of those two pieces with last weekend's semistate sweep of New Palestine and Evansville Memorial. Now they'll try to complete the program's collection against Hanover Central in the Class 3A state championship game (7 p.m. Saturday). This opportunity would be special regardless, longtime coach Tony Matthews said Wednesday. He and assistant coach Linda Bamrick have waited 14 years for this opportunity (four regional titles during their tenure). But to do it with this group? That makes it all the more meaningful. "This group of girls, the way they have fought for each other, we're just so excited for them," Matthews said. "They have each other's backs all the time. … They just believe." Team chemistry was a talking point entering the season, too, one cited by senior shortstop Anna Moore during preseason media day as perhaps the team's biggest strength. The players began going to Bible study together last season, which "brought us together in a way not many other schools can replicate," she explained. "It's really special being able to share faith and our love for each other," the Purdue commit continued. "The environment we've created is so special." Those bonds further elevated an already highly talented Cathedral outfit, which is 28-2 with notable regular-season wins over West Lafayette Harrison, Lutheran, Silver Creek, Danville, Castle, Noblesville, Avon, Roncalli and East Central. After breezing to tournament wins over Bishop Chatard, Herron and Lebanon, the Irish found themselves trailing New Palestine, 1-0, after a half inning — a potentially devastating development against the powerhouse Dragons, who run-ruled them at regional last spring. But there was never any panic nor any moments of doubt inside the Cathedral dugout. They continued trusting each other and stayed the course, keeping their opponent at bay until the bottom of the fifth when freshman Jordyn Hazelwood ripped a bases-loaded triple to set her side on course for a 4-1 victory. Quality arms, veteran catcher, more: Why Center Grove softball is playing for 4A state title Now the upperclassmen-led Irish are on the precipice of program history, looking to fight off an upset-minded Hanover Central outfit that punched its ticket to West Lafayette by dethroning defending 3A state champion Western (2-1 in nine innings). The Wildcats feature an up-and-coming freshman in ace Jillian Deyoung — she allowed only one unearned run on 10 hits with 13 strikeouts over nine innings last Saturday — and a lineup that's batting .341 collectively against a schedule highlighted by 2A finalist Andrean, Munster, Lake Central, 4A finalist Crown Point and New Prairie. "At this point, we're not even playing for ourselves," senior first baseman Maddie Liter said. "We're playing for the coaches. We want to win it for them. We want to put the plaque up for Cathedral as a school, to have this recognition, and for the program that Matthews and Bam have built." "I'm so happy we get this last game together," senior third baseman Angie Valentine added. Here's why the Irish are playing for state. Feczko as a sophomore: 20-4, 2.00 ERA (40 earned runs), 169 strikeouts, .210 opponent batting average (14 doubles), .288 opponent on-base. Feczko this season: 19-1, 1.25 ERA (23 earned runs), 204 strikeouts, .141 OBA (2 doubles), .239 OBP. The junior Dartmouth commit was tagged for 12 runs (five earned) in last year's season-ending loss to New Palestine. She "really took that personally" and within a day or two, she was back to work, dedicating herself to both the mental and physical aspects of her game. Feczko — who's also among the team's leading hitters at .459 with 39 hits, seven doubles, five homers and 28 RBIs — spun a one-hit shutout of Castle with 10 strikeouts at the Carmel Invite, struck out 16 in the sectional opener against Chatard and totaled 23 strikeouts with only three runs allowed last Saturday at semistate. "She's starting to believe in herself," Moore said. "She's always lacked confidence, which is crazy with how amazing she is, but we've tried to instill in her, like, 'Dude, you're so amazing. Just believe in yourself.'" Cathedral has turned more double plays (27) than it has committed errors (21). None of its fielders have been charged with more than seven miscues, and the two leaders in that category deserve context. Hazelwood's (6) athleticism and understanding of the game allow her to make plays that more than make up for the occasional miscue (more on the up-and-coming middle infielder this week), while Liter (5) is among the team leaders with a .958 fielding percentage. Cathedral went four consecutive games without an error, then recorded an out on 23-of-24 total chances against Memorial in the semistate championship game. You have to earn your opportunities against the Irish, because they seldom beat themselves. "It takes so much stress off my shoulders," Feczko said of her defense. "I'm not scared to miss a pitch, which is really important because you need to trust everything you have. If by chance you don't hit that spot, you need to trust your defense has your back." When Hazelwood ripped that ball to the left field wall against New Palestine, Matthews knew Moore was scoring from first base. In the championship game against Memorial, Cathedral stole four bases and scored three of their four runs on passed balls. For the season, they've stolen 110 bases (120 attempts). Cathedral's baserunners are taught to keep their hips pointed in the direction of the next base, Matthews said. They're always in a running stance and when they shuffle off, they're still looking at second base or looking at home so they don't have to crossover. There are names and statlines atop that Cathedral lineup that will grab your attention immediately: Liter (Austin Peay commit), Moore, Valentine (Evansville) and Feczko have all been massive presences at the plate during their careers, and Hazelwood has met (if not exceeded) the sky-high expectations ascribed to her entering the season. But it's been the emergence of outfielder Amya Gary, outfielder/third baseman Sydney Matthews and catcher Kelsey Beres in the 6-7-8 spots that has brought much-needed depth to this lineup and made it very difficult to pitch around anyone. Gary, a junior, is in the midst of a breakout season, batting .436 with 34 hits, 20 RBIs and 24 runs. She's maintained a .511 OBP and stolen 18 bases on 19 attempts, with her game log highlighted by a couple three-hit outings. She had a double and a run scored vs. Memorial. Matthews maintained her average around .400 most of the season, and currently sits at .362 with 25 hits, 19 RBIs and 22 runs scored. She has homered twice (first of her career) and swiped seven bases. Beres has shined in her first season as starting catcher, going error-free in the field with a double play, while also logging 19 hits (five doubles) and 16 RBIs at the plate. Another name to keep an eye on: Curstyn Hansbrough, who's logged 16 hits and stolen seven bases through 30 games.
Indianapolis Star
04-06-2025
- General
- Indianapolis Star
No. 1 New Palestine pushed to extra innings by Cascade, then explodes for 8 runs to win regional
CLAYTON – New Palestine's 11-3 win over host Cascade in Tuesday's Class 3A softball regional might look like a blowout at first glance, but the Dragons escaped fire as Cascade rallied after trailing 3-0 in the final inning of regulation to tie it with a chance to win the game. New Palestine junior pitcher Sadey Hughbanks escaped the jam, and the Dragons followed by putting together an improbable eight-run eighth inning spurred by senior Jersi Gross' inside-the-park home run to start the extra frame. Top-ranked New Palestine (26-4) moves on to face No. 2 Cathedral (26-2) in Saturday's semistate at Jasper, after the Irish topped Lebanon 13-0. The two teams last played in last year's regional championship, with the eventual state runner-up Dragons defeating the Irish 12-1. IHSAA softball regionals: Statewide pairings, schedule, scores 'Two great teams up in the rankings all year,' said New Palestine coach Ed Marcum. 'It'll be a great game.' Tuesday's score wasn't representative of how competitive the game was. Cascade senior pitcher Grace Gray escaped multiple jams as New Palestine left 11 runners on base through the first five innings. Early wind gusts of 25 mph blowing directly toward home plate didn't favor the Dragons. It was scoreless in the sixth, but the wind began to die down seemingly at the right time for New Palestine. Gross drew a walk on a 12-pitch at-bat. Katie Hirschy followed with a single to center, and Maddie Engle cleared the bases with a no-doubt home run over the left field fence on the first pitch for a 3-0 New Palestine lead. 'There were a lot (of at-bats) where it looked like we got ahold of the ball and then it was just a little dinker into right,' Engle said. 'There was one of my at-bats, where I hit it to center and everybody was like, 'Oh, you smacked that ball. If only the wind didn't get it.' When I went up to the plate again, the wind died down and we sent it. All of a sudden, our offense came to play. We were on fire. The wind dying down really helped us out.' The scrappy Cadets, who moved up to 3A this year after winning the 2A state title last year, didn't relent, patching together a three-run seventh to force extra innings. Back-to-back runners were ruled safe following game officials overturning the original calls of them being ruled out. Gray drove both in with a two-run single. A sacrifice by senior Ava Allen tied the score 3-3 and Cascade (21-6) had a runner on third with two outs, but Hughbanks coaxed a groundout to end the threat. After that, it was all New Palestine. 'It was kind of crazy,' Marcum said. 'Both pitchers were throwing great. Defensively, the teams were making plays and the pitchers were making the plays when they had to, to get out of jams. Cascade did a great job coming back and tying the game. It really showed a lot of what this team is about coming through with eight in the top of the eighth. I'm just really proud of them. We found out we couldn't score enough with the type of team Cascade was.' The Dragons sent 14 batters to the plate in the decisive eighth inning, scoring eight runs off seven hits and three walks, including Gross' inside-the-parker. She smacked a tailing fly ball to left field to start the inning, which sailed over the fielder's head. Gross blazed around the bases to record her first home run of the year. 'Once I saw her back turned, I wasn't planning to stop,' Gross said. 'That really put me in gear, like, 'Oh, shoot, I've got to go.'' Engle followed with an RBI single. Saydie Miller drove in a pair. Catherine Trebley added another RBI. Then it was back to the top of the order and Gross, who added an RBI double for good measure. Cascade would load the bases in the bottom of the inning, refusing to relent without a fight, but Hughbanks (25-4) was able to close the door for the complete-game win. 'We had to overcome adversity,' Gross added. 'It really showed that this team has fight and we're not going to give up, no matter what.'
Indianapolis Star
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
New Palestine celebrates sectional championship after defeating Roncalli
HIGH SCHOOL New Palestine softball players take a photo with the sectional championship on May 28, 2025. Joshua Heron New Palestine High School celebrates with ISHAA Class 3A sectional championship after defeating Roncalli High School 7-1 on May 28, 2025. Joshua Heron New Palestine softball coach receives a gatorade bathe from his players after leading them to a sectional title on May 28, 2025. Joshua Heron
Indianapolis Star
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Homers, gems and steals: Vote for IndyStar softball players of the week (May 12-17)
IndyStar will be recognizing the top softball players in Indiana with our players of the week poll, presented by YMCA of Greater Indianapolis. Scroll to the bottom of the article to vote. Voting is open until noon Friday. Congratulations to Noblesville's Addison Retzinger on being voted Player of the Week for May 5-10! The sophomore spun a four-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts and zero walks in a 1-0 win over Hamilton Southeastern on Tuesday. Insider: Softball sectionals start next week. 9 storylines entering 2025 IHSAA state tournament More: She has no palm, just 2 fingers on right hand. 'She can do literally anything.' Like hitting over .400 Here were the top performers from the past week. The freshman secured a win over Pike, allowing one run on one hit with a couple walks and 11 strikeouts. She went 1-for-2 at the plate with a run scored and an RBI double. The sophomore went 3-for-4 with two triples, three runs scored and three RBIs in a 7-4 win over West Lafayette Harrison. She also scored a run vs. Hanover Central and notched a hit against Roncalli. Compton went homered three times in four at-bats vs. Highland, driving in eight runs and scoring three herself. She followed that effort with a 2-for-3 performance vs. New Palestine that included two more homers and three RBIs. Denny threw a no-hitter with 11 strikeouts in a 3-0 win over New Prairie. She issued only one walk in the winning effort and converted an assist on her one attempt in the field. Fox finished the week with nine hits, three RBIs and five runs scored. She doubled against Avon and New Palestine, and drove in a pair of RBIs against Greenfield-Central. Godby shined amidst a monster week at the plate for the Cadets, totaling 10 hits, five runs and 11 RBIs. She homered and doubled against Chatard, doubled twice against McCutcheon and notched her second five-RBI performance of the week vs. Fishers. Johnson pitched a no-hitter against Fountain Central, racking up 13 strikeouts and issuing only two walks over seven innings. She also doubled and scored a run in the 3-0 win. The senior cleared 1,000 career strikeouts amidst a 13-strikeout, five-inning perfect game against Tri-Central. She finished the week with 25 strikeouts, plus five hits and four RBIs at the plate It was a record-setting week for Murray, who launched her fifth and sixth homers of the season, leaving her with 20 for her career. She finished the week with five hits, four runs and seven RBIs, and highlighted her pitching performances with a win over Ne wPalestine (allowed two earned runs on seven hits with three strikeouts). Prather homered twice in a 12-10 win over Noblesville, including the go-ahead three-run homer in the seventh inning. She finished the game 3-for-4 at the plate with four RBIs and three runs scored. The junior clocked a hit and a run scored in a win over Franklin Central. The sophomore utility player collected six hits across a Saturday doubleheader. She had three hits and a run scored vs. Pendleton Heights, then notched three hits, five RBIs and a run scored vs. Silver Creek. Big week for no-hitters. Sperling threw one in an 8-0 win over Princeton, striking out nine and aiding her own cause with a home run. The sophomore finished the week with five hits, three runs and a couple RBIs.
