Friday roundup

The top of the HHC race sorted out -- a little bit -- last night in baseball. Greenfield-Central, Mt. Vernon and New Palestine still share the top three spots. But MV and NP now have a two-game lead on the field with three weeks (and six games) to go in the season courtesy of doubleheader sweeps last night.

NP and MV are both 12-1 overall and 8-0 in HHC play. G-C is now third at 5-2 (and 8-7 overall), but still has two games remaining against the Dragons on May 13, and of course, NP and MV meet each other on May 20 for a doubleheader which almost annually has conference championship implications.

On Friday night, Mt. Vernon posted a 4-1 victory over Greenfield-Central in the opening game. Logan Perdue hit a homer early in the game, but G-C tied it in the bottom of the seventh. MV's Tyler Goff and Zach McFarland had the big blows in the eighth, with RBI hits to break the game open and give the Marauders a 4-1 victory that Logan Blair would nail down on the mound. He would throw a two-hitter, allowing one unearned run and striking out nine. G-C starter Curtiss Irving was equally impressive, striking out 13 Marauders in 7 1/3 innings.

In the second game, MV posted a 2-1 victory. The Marauders put together a two-run rally in the second, with Matt Lohrey's RBI hit the big blow. Lohrey made it stand up on the mound in a great pitcher's duel with G-C's Clark Pence. He allowed two hits over six innings, and Zach McKinney finished off the seventh to earn the save. MV, ranked No. 8 in Class 3A, is now 12-1. G-C is 8-7.

At New Palestine, the Dragons got locked into a pair of offensive shows. NP beat Yorktown 11-7 in the opening game, and then knocked off the Tigers 12-5 in the nightcap. In the opener, the Dragons scored five runs in the second on two hits, and then broke a 5-5 tie with a steady offensive attack in the latter innings. Brady Thomas and Nick Ulrey each drove in three runs for NP, while Nick Smith got the win on the mound and Reid Clark pitched two innings for the save. In the second game, the Dragons got a big night from Thomas, who was 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI. Brian Page got the win on the mound. NP, ranked No. 1 in Class 3A, is now 12-1.

Eastern Hancock had a late rally fall short in a 4-3 loss to Blue River Friday afternoon. The Royals trailed 4-1 going into the seventh and scored twice, but the Vikings finished the game off. EH is now 4-6.

In HHC play last night, Pendleton Heights swept Shelbyville to keep a hold on fourth place in the conference at 4-3. 

Softball
The only big-time action between the Marauders and Cougars wasn't happening at Molinder Field. There was also a softball game between the two schools at MV, but the visitors from G-C had a happy bus ride home, winning 4-1. MV scored first, but the Cougars answered with two runs in each the fourth and fifth innings. Ashley Whitaker had a two-run double to pace G-C's offense. Sami Frazier also drove in a run for G-C, which spread six hits among six different players. Frazier allowed three hits, one earned run and struck out three to get the win in a great duel with MV's Ellie Balbach. G-C is now 9-4 overall, but a perfect 4-0 in HHC play. MV, ranked No. 11 in Class 3A, is now 5-2 (2-1). 

The county's other two squads met up at New Palestine Friday afternoon in a game that was initially scheduled for the previous week. Eastern Hancock and NP were tied 3-3 in the fifth, but the Dragons scored five runs in each the fifth and sixth innings to beat EH 13-3. Erin Lehman was 3-for-4 with a homer and two RBI to lead the Dragons. Katie Prosser was 3-for-3 with an RBI. Alexa Cavin had a pair of hits, a pair of runs and an RBI, while Rachel Vawter was 2-for-3 and drove in two runs. Lizzie Garrison and also had a pair of hits and a pair of RBI. Garrison struck out seven in a complete-game pitching victory. EH was led by Caity Knopp, who had two hits, including a solo homer. Savannah Blevins and Taylor Mercer drove in the Royals' other two runs. NP is now 9-4 and has won four straight games. EH is now 10-4.

HHC baseball standings
New Palestine (#1 3A)  8-0/12-1 overall
Mt. Vernon (#8 3A) 8-0/12-1 overall
Greenfield-Central 5-2/8-7 overall
Pendleton Heights 4-3/8-5 overall
Yorktown 4-6/8-7 overall
Shelbyville 1-7/3-10 overall
Delta 1-7/5-10 overall
Rushville 0-6/4-9 overall
(note: Delta and Rushville play today)