New Palestine softball beginning 2021 season in championship form once again
NEW PALESTINE, Ind. (BVM) — In 2019, the New Palestine Dragons won a 10-0 contest in the IHSAA Class 3A state championship game to take home their third consecutive state softball title. Setting an IHSAA record in the process, the Dragons looked unstoppable.
Perhaps the only true way to stop New Palestine was the cancelation of the 2020 season, as the Dragons are back in 2021 picking up right where they left off. Currently, the Dragons are ranked No. 1 in the MaxPreps all-class poll, and have a perfect 15-0 record.
New Palestine has been a solid hitting squad, batting .359 as a team on the year. The Dragons have scored over 130 runs across their first 15 games. But what may be even more impressive is that they have allowed just 28 to their opponents.
The Dragons have received many contributions from their players, several of which will go on to play Division I college softball. But one of the top names on the team is pitcher Sam Booe, who has regained her dominant form from a couple years ago.
Booe is a University of Louisville commit, who dazzled again in the Dragons’ most recent game against Center Grove. Striking out the first five batters of the contest, Booe would go on to earn a shutout win, allowing just four hits and striking out nine.
While the Dragons scored just one run in the victory over the Trojans, they have been very potent on offense throughout the season. One of their leaders is senior Lexi Campbell, who currently sits in the top-15 within the state of Indiana with eight home runs on the year.
Proving that they can win no matter if the game is a slugfest or a pitcher’s duel, New Palestine looks like they have the tools and firepower to take home a fourth-consecutive state championship. Just 11 games remain in the Dragons’ regular season, but perhaps none bigger than tonight, as New Palestine will do battle with 15-1 Shelbyville, looking to keep its perfect season alive.
