The Hamilton Southeastern softball team got an 11-7 victory over New Palestine Thursday in a home game.
The Royals were in business early with three runs in the first inning. Jenna Chase singled in Addy Justice for the first run, then Morgan Hicks doubled Payton Fox home. Stephanie Penny hit a sacrifice fly to score Chase.
Fox smacked a solo home run in the third inning to put Southeastern up 4-2. The Dragons poured in five runs in the top of the fourth for a 7-4 lead, hitting a solo homer, an RBI single and a three-run homer.
But the Royals regrouped quickly, scoring five runs in the bottom of the fourth. Ella Francis doubled in Madi Yankaukas, then Lani Wyrick singled Makenna Selm home. Justice’s center field hit scored Tessa Sexauer and tied the game, then Chase delivered the go-ahead RBI, batting in Wyrick. Hicks brought Justice home with a right field single, and Southeastern led 9-7.
The Royals got two more runs in the sixth inning. Justice scored on an error, then Penny hit her second sacrifice fly of the game to send Fox home.
Hicks finished the game 3-for-4, with Justice, Chase and Yankauskas all getting two hits. Wyrick, Fox, Ava Kiemeyer and Francis each had one hit. Hicks and Yankauskas both had doubles. Grace Swedarsky pitched a complete game, striking out nine.
Southeastern is 8-1 for the season and plays two games on Saturday, taking on Harrison and Crown Point.