By Mike McGrawExecutive DirectorINDIANAPOLIS – Click, click, click, BANG! That is exactly what it is like to play against now- back-to-back Class 3A state champion New Palestine. The top-ranked Dragons just do all the little stuff right, move from station to station, and then blast you with the big hit.
The Dragons did it one last time June 13 versus No. 10 Andrean in the 3A title tilt, and it resulted in a 10-0, five-inning romp for the crown.
New Palestine (30-1) scored an early run in the first inning and, with the way senior Sara Evans pitched, one hit through five innings might have been all the Dragons needed. However, it was certainly not all they got as New Pal exploded for a nine-run fourth inning.
The Dragons did so on seven hits, an error by Andrean (28-8), a few walks, incredibly sound baserunning, and two huge lightning bolts.
The first of those was a bases-loaded double from junior designated hitter Lauren Schroeder with one out in the frame. That drove runs five, six, and seven across the plate. The second was another bases-loaded drive off the bat of junior right fielder Sydni Phelan (3 for 3 with a 3A-record four RBIs) that drove in the final three runs.
Those in attendance could see the big fourth inning coming as New Palestine – which established new 3A state championship marks in runs and runs in an inning – was getting good swings through the first three frames. Once the ball started finding holes in the Fighting 59ers’ defense, it was like a snowball rolling downhill.
The day was made complete for the Dragons and Evans when she was named the Mental Attitude winner in 3A. The Indiana-State bound pitcher finished the season at a sparkling 27-1 after allowing just one hit and zero walks while striking out seven in going the shortened distance.
After the game, coach Ed Marcum and the hitting heroes spoke with Hoosier Authority.
New Pal’s Evans named Mental Attitude Award winnerSara Evans of New was recognized by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee as this year’s recipient of the Mental Attitude Award in Class 3A softball. Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the corporate partner of the IHSAA, presented a $1,000 scholarship to the school in her name.
Evans graduated 42nd in her class of 240 with a 3.73 GPA in Academic Honors. The National Honor Society member is involved in the Best Buddies program as well as the Fastpitch Fans Booster Club and was named to the Fifth/Third Bank Academic “A” Team. In her community, Sara volunteers at the Cross of Grace Lutheran Church’s Bible school, nursery, and summer camp. She is also a three-time volunteer Community Education Softball Clinic Coach.
Evans has excelled athletically in the sport of softball and has earned many honors. She is a four-year varsity letter winner and four-year All-State, was named to the 2009 ICGSA All-Star team, and is a candidate for both 2009 Miss Softball and the 2009 Indiana Gatorade Player of the Year. In her four years of pitching for the Dragons, Sara has taken her team to the Final Four three times and to state championships in both 2008 and 2009.
The daughter of Gary and Lisa Evans plans to attend Indiana State University to study elementary education.
The box score:
Andrean 0 (28-8)Player AB R H RBI BB SO PO A LOB
Moseley, Alyssa p........ 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0
Serrato, Samantha 2b..... 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0
Bickel, Audrey ss........ 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
Ryan, Kelly c............ 2 0 0 0 0 2 3 1 0
Moseley, Morgan 3b....... 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Bridgeman, Meghan 1b..... 1 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 0
Steinbach, Nicole ph.... 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Emmett, Allison dh....... 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Hoolehan, Giuliana rf.... 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Gonzalez, Jackie cf...... 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0
Fleming, Cari lf......... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Totals................... 15 0 1 0 0 7 12 4 0
New Palestine 10 (30-1)Player AB R H RBI BB SO PO A LOB
Prosser, Katie 2b........ 2 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 0
Evans, Sara p............ 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 0
Schroeder, Lauren dh..... 3 0 1 3 0 1 0 0 0
Marcum, Michelle 3b...... 1 1 1 1 2 0 1 0 0
Whitaker, Julie pr...... 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Smith, Kaitlyn c......... 3 0 2 0 0 0 8 0 0
McBride, Hanna pr....... 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Phelan, Sydni rf......... 3 1 3 4 0 0 0 0 0
East, Audrey pr......... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Wilkes, Kalen rf........ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Story, Jamie 1b.......... 2 1 1 0 0 1 4 0 1
Roach, Taylor lf......... 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Cavin, Alexa ss.......... 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
Fiers, Liza ph.......... 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Zimmerman, Alysha cf/pr.. 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals................... 20 10 10 9 3 2 15 5 3
Score by innings R H E
Andrean............. 000 00 - 0 1 2
New Palestine....... 100 9X - 10 10 0
E: Bickel, A. (1); Moseley, M. (1). DP: New Pal 1.
LOB: New Pal 3. 2B: Schroeder, L. (5); Marcum, M. (13); Phelan, S. (6).
SH: Evans, S. (1); Story, J. (1).
Andrean IP H R ER BB SO AB BF
Moseley, Alyssa..... 4.0 10 10 3 3 2 20 25
New Palestine IP H R ER BB SO AB BF
Evans, Sara......... 5.0 1 0 0 0 7 15 15
Win: Evans, S. (27-1). Loss: Moseley, A. (20-7).
Umpires: HP Gary Price, 1B Robert Voss, 3B Mark Maxwell
Start: 4:30 p.m. Time: 1:24
Weather: 75, partly cloudy, slight wind out to center
