New Palestine High School

The New Palestine baseball team built a two-run lead, but a three-run rally in the sixth inning Tuesday allowed host Avon to come back and beat the Dragons 4-3. The Orioles scored the game's first run in the third - an unearned run after taking advantage of two errors. The Dragons quickly rallied. Kingston Hedges singled and Marshall Giant followed with a one-out double. Freshman Isaac Gauther drove both in with a two-run single, and then scored on Mason Monnier's base hit. Two more singles loaded the bases, but the Dragons were unable to add on. Avon's rally came in the sixth, as they loaded the bases with none out on consecutive singles. A sacrifice fly plated one run, Morris picked off one runner, but a run-scoring double and an RBI single allowed the Orioles to take the lead. The Dragons were retired in order in the seventh. The Dragons used three pitchers. Jacob Morris started and allowed one unearned run and struck out one in 2 2/3 innings. Holden Hughes pitched 2 1/3 innings of relief, allowing three hits, two earned runs and striking out two. Neal came on in relief in the seventh but allowed two hits, one earned run and struck out one. The Dragons outhit Avon 9-5. Neal was 2-for-4. Monnier was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Hedges was 1-for-4 with a run. Giant was 1-for-2 with a double and a run. Gauthier was 1-for-3 with a run and two RBI. Hughes was 1-for-2 and Brody Cain 1-for-1.