WEST LAFAYETTE, Indiana — Senior catcher Sienna Stilley and Hanover Central would not be denied this time.
Stilley, a Jacksonville State recruit and Indiana All-Star, delivered the go-ahead two-run double in the second inning as the Wildcats topped New Palestine 6-4 in the Class 3A state championship game at Purdue’s Bittinger Stadium on Friday.
Stilley, who also singled and drew a walk, starred last season as part of the team that narrowly lost in the state final to Indianapolis Cathedral.
The Wildcats (26-6), ranked No. 10 in the state coaches poll, fell behind 2-0 on two unearned runs in the first inning in their return trip. But they overcame that early deficit against No. 7 New Prairie (24-8) as sophomore pitcher Jillian DeYoung allowed two earned runs — both in the seventh — on seven hits and one walk and struck out 11.
DeYoung and senior first baseman Brooklyn Oostman also had two hits and two RBIs for Hanover Central, which won its first Northwest Crossroads Conference title this season.
This story will be updated.
