BASEBALL, SOFTBALL, TRACK & FIELD, LACROSSE MAKE FOR BUSY DAY ON THE FIELDS

BASEBALL

Undefeated Marion Center took the lead early and downed United, 5-2. Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the first, the Stingers scored two on RBI singles by Landin Bennett and Ty Ryen. They scored two more in the second and another run in the third, while United added a run in the 7^th. Bennett, Nick Pacconi, Parker Black, and Alex Stewart all had multiple hits for Marion Center. Wade Plowman, Ben Tomb, and Caden McCully all had two hits for United. Dakota bracken picked up the win, giving up three hits and a run over four-and-a-third while striking out seven. Braden Reichenbach threw the final two-and-a-third for the Stingers.

It was an outstanding day for Homer-Center, which swept a doubleheader from Purchase Line, 12-0 and 18-0, as Wildcats pitchers allowed only one hit over the two games. In the first game, Owen Saiani spun a five-inning no-hitter, striking out nine and walking just one. Andrew Ruddock was 3-for-4 and Michael Krejocic had two hits.

In the second game, Homer-Center scored 18 runs on just seven hits as Purchase Line’s pitchers struggled to find the strike zone. Homer-Center broke the game open with seven runs in the 3^rd inning and 6 more in the 4^th, and with Michael Krejocic striking out the side in the 4^th to trigger the mercy rule. Anthony Rowland went the first three for the Wildcats, striking out four and allowing a single in the third for the Red Dragons’ only hit of the day. Braden Dunn had two of the Wildcats’ seven hits.

Indiana suffered a tough 10-9 loss to Knoch, giving up three runs in the bottom of the 7^th as Knoch’s Braden Kriley finished off the rally with a walk-off single. After falling behind 1-0 in the first, Indiana scored a run in the second and two in both the 3^rd and 4^th innings to take a 5-1 lead. Tied at 7 after 6 innings, Indiana scored two in the top of the 7^th but could not hold the lead and fell to 7-4, and 4-3 in the section. Knoch is 7-2, and 5-2. Ben Ryen was 3-for-6 for Indiana with a double and two RBIs. Garrison Dougherty had two hits, including a triple. Steven Budash had two hits, including a double, and Nick Love had two hits.

SOFTBALL

In a doubleheader sweep, Homer Center downed Purchase Line, 14-0 and 17-5. Julia King shut out the Red Dragons on three hits in the 14-0 game. Mya Fatula was 3-for-3 for the Wildcats. In the 17-5 win, Julia King drove in four runners with two hits. She also tripled in both the 2^nd and 4^th. Homer-Center broke the game open with a 9-run 2^nd. Alaina Fabin was 4-for-4, and Melanie George, Ashlynn Kerr, Julia King, Ava King, and Mya Fatula all had multiple hits in a 22-hit attack by the Wildcats. For Purchase Line, Brooklynn Walker was 2-for-3.

Cambria Heights scored four unearned runs to beat River Valley, 4-1. Hannah Foust gave up three hits and struck out 10 for the Panthers, who scored their only run on a Brin Gardner homer. The Highlanders scored two unearned in the 2^nd and 5^th innings before Gardner’s home run in the 6^th.

LACROSSE

The Indiana girls lacrosse team raised their record to 8-1 with a 22-6 victory over Greensburg Central Catholic. Kennedi Kunkle led Indiana with four goals. Kayla Leon, Jaydn Ball, and Kyla Weaver each scored three. Gianna Brody, Brynlee Schawl, and Kate Lehman each had two, and Gabby Sharp, Tess Kuzneski, and Mia Ciocca each scored one. Anna Buterbaugh had seven saves in goal.

The team travels to Franklin Regional on Wednesday.

TRACK & FIELD

The Indiana Junior High track teams scored a pair of wins over Penn-Trafford on Monday. The boys team won 68-55, while the girls took a 85-38 victory.

Read the highlights provided by Indiana Area Athletics:

The Indiana Junior High track teams scored a pair of wins over Penn-Trafford on Monday. The boys team won 68-55. Levi Porter set a new school record in the triple jump with a leap of 40 feet 6.5 inches to win the triple jump. Porter added wins in the 100 meter dash, long jump and high jump to cap off a 20 point effort. Also winning their events were Matthew Sebring in the 110 meter hurdles and the Pole Vault, Kaiden Branan in the 1600 meters, Grayson Brunetto in the 800 meters, and Dominic Fanella in the discus.

The Indiana girls defeated Penn-Trafford 85-38. Sophie Scardina led the girls with first place finishes in the 100 meters, 200 meters and anchored the 4×100 relay along with Emily Ferraro, Addison Porter, and Ali Genchur. Genchur also won the 100 meter hurdles and Porter won the triple jump. Laken Kugler won the 800 meters and ran on the winning 4×800 relay along with Jocelyn Higbee, Maddie Bauer and Addy Fry. Addy Hutton won the high jump, Sarah Genchur won the pole vault, Jayla Peterson won the shot put and Sara Fisher won the discus.

The teams host Norwin next Monday.