Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc.

9150 North Meridian Street, Box 40650, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240-0650

Phone: 317-846-6601    Fax: 317-575-4244    Website: www.ihsaa.org

Blake Ress, Commissioner

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June 13, 2009

 

NEW PALESTINE WINS BACK-TO-BACK STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

 

The New Palestine Dragons repeated as 3A state champions defeating the Andrean 59ers, 10-0, in 5 innings…a record setting performance. Dragons senior Sara Evans struck out seven and allowed only one hit in route to her 27th victory of the year against just 1 defeat.

 

New Palestine wasted no time by scoring the games first run in the bottom of the first inning on a double by junior Michelle Marcum that scored sophomore Katie Prosser.

 

Leading 1-0, the Dragons exploded for nine runs off of seven hits in the bottom of fourth to secure their second title in as many years. Junior’s Lauren Schroeder and Syndi Phelan accounted for most of the damage with three hits, two of them doubles, along with seven of the Dragon’s nine RBI’s in the inning. Senior Jamie Story, junior Taylor Roach and sophomore Kaitlyn Smith all singled during the inning; and freshman Liza Fiers recorded an RBI with yet another single.

 

This is the third title for the Dragons as they won in 2004 as well as 2008. Sixth-year head coach Ed Marcum and the Dragons capped an impressive season with a record of 30-1.

 

Andrean and head coach Russ Serrato finished the season at 28-8.  59ers junior pitcher Allyssa Moseley allowed only three earned runs in the loss, finishing her season with a record of 20-7.

 

The Dragons set several records in the contest including most runs in a game (10), most runs in an inning (9 in the 4th inning), most hits in an inning (7 in the 4th inning), most combined runs in a game (10), most combined runs in an inning (9 in the 4th inning), most combined RBI’s in a game (9).  Phelan’s four RBI’s, all coming in that explosive 4th inning, was also a 3A record.

 

 

sara evans of new palestine named Mental Attitude Award winner

 

Sara Evans of New Palestine High School was recognized by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee as this year’s recipient of the Mental Attitude Award in Class 3A softball.

 

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, the Fastpitch Fans Booster Club, and was named to the Fifth/Third Bank Academic “A” Team.  In her community, Sara volunteers at Cross of Grace Lutheran Church 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, four year All-State, was named to the 2009 ICGSA All Star team, 2009 Miss Softball candidate, and 2009 Indiana Gatorade Player of the Year candidate.  In her four years pitching for the Dragons, Sara has taken her team to the final four three times, and to win a State Championship in 2008. 

 

Sara plans to attend Indiana State University to study Elementary Education.

 

She is the daughter of Gary and Lisa Evans.

 

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the corporate partner of the IHSAA, presented a $1,000 scholarship to New Palestine High School in the name of Sara Evans. 

 

 

 

 

 

VSN MEANS ACTION PHOTOGRAPHY

Visit our friends at Visual Sports Network, the IHSAA’s official photographer for all state championship events and one of the leading action photographers in the Midwest. VSN, which was on site Saturday, has captured hundreds of images from this year’s State Finals and will have them ready for viewing and purchase beginning Monday.