PENDLETON — It was a true nail-biter, the game’s outcome uncertain until the final out.
Pendleton Heights varsity softball captured the Class 4A Sectional 9 title by a score of 2-1 on Thursday, May 24.
The Arabians got an outstanding pitching performance from sophomore Jordan Benefiel, who struck out 14 Anderson Indians in the game, a career and season high.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
Benefiel’s arm was the key to the victory, Arabians coach Rob Davis said.
“Anytime you strike out 14, you only have to play seven outs, and that’s a tremendous help,” Davis said.
Pendleton Heights got on the board first in the bottom of the second inning, scratching out the first run of the game.
The Arabians then added another crucial run in the bottom of the third inning. Freshman Kylie Davis pounded out a triple, and senior Olivia Conner knocked her in with a sacrifice fly.
The run ended up being the game winner for the Arabians, who rode Benefiel’s arm the rest of the way.
Still, with a 2-0 lead, Anderson made the game exciting and was able to get a run in the top of the fourth when Sierra Cunningham scored the Indians’ sole run after stealing home, making it a 2-1 game.
“Sometimes we’re our own worst enemy,” Davis said. “We’ve talked about that and know we can’t take a pitch off.”
Cunningham was three for three on the night for Anderson. She had three of the six hits for the Indians in the loss.
The score stayed 2-1 for the remainder of the game until the Arabians were able to get the final out in the top of the seventh to secure the win and the sectional title.
Davis knew it was going to be an exciting game because of how tough the Indians always play his team.
“They always come to play hard, and I knew it was going to be a close game, but we executed when we had to,” Davis said.
Shelby Wright of Anderson pitched six innings, giving up five hits and two runs while striking out four.
The victory not only gave the Arabians (22-9) the sectional crown, the win moved them on to the regional championship game Tuesday, May 29, in a home playoff game against powerhouse Indianapolis Cathedral (23-8).
Pendleton Heights lost the game 1-0. Cathedral will face Decatur Central in the semistate semifinal on Saturday, June 2.
Lapel season ends
LAPEL — The Lapel High School softball season came to an end with a 10-1 loss to rival Frankton High School, eventual sectional champions, in the second round of the Class 2A Sectional 40 game Wednesday, May 23.
The Bulldogs ended the season 16-11 overall.