New Palestine Softball Falls Short in Class 3A Championship

WEST LAFAYETTE — Ed Marcum, who has been a guiding presence for New Palestine softball since the early 2000s, has earned a new title in his 23rd season: "Grandpa." Following his team's 6-3 defeat to Hanover Central in the Class 3A state finals, he reflected on this new nickname, saying, “This is the first team to call me ‘G,’ which is what my grandkids call me. I take it as an honor.”

The 2026 New Palestine Dragons (24-8) showcased resilience throughout the season, marking a notable achievement as the first team under Marcum to finish with more than five losses. They overcame a challenging sectional opener against Indian Creek, which set the stage for a commendable postseason run. Senior pitcher Sadey Hughbanks expressed the team's strong bond, stating, “We all wanted it for each other... Everybody really brought it together for this postseason, our last ride.”

As the game unfolded at Purdue's Bittinger Stadium, New Palestine took an early lead, capitalizing on errors by Hanover Central to go up 2-0. However, the Wildcats quickly responded and maintained pressure, scoring multiple runs in subsequent innings. Hughbanks commented on their offensive strategy, noting, “Honestly, I think they were just sticking their bats out sometimes and poking it somewhere that we weren't.”

On the opposing side, Hanover Central’s Jillian DeYoung proved to be a formidable challenge, delivering a stellar performance with 11 strikeouts and allowing just four runs. Marcum praised her pitching, stating, “Her changeup was devastating. We just didn’t do a very good job reading it.” Despite a late rally in the seventh inning, New Palestine couldn’t secure the win, with Marcum acknowledging the effort, “We fought... I'm so proud of the girls for that, but we just couldn't pull through.”

Concluding the season, New Palestine's seniors, including Hughbanks and Saydie Miller, leave with a legacy of 99 victories, two state runner-up finishes, and last year's regional championship. Miller, who received the 3A Mental Attitude Award, shared her gratitude, saying, “I always say we’re blessed to be in this program.”