PENDLETON — Pendleton Heights softball Coach Rob Davis couldn’t ask for a better start to the season.
After opening March 27 with an 11-2 win over Westfield, the Arabians knocked off No. 3-ranked Center Grove on March 29 with a 2-0 win. This week, the Class 4A Arabians were ranked ninth in the Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association’s state poll.
“We have our leading strikeout pitcher back in Jordan Benefiel,” Davis said. Benefiel, a junior, pitched a six-hit shutout against Center Grove and had 11 strikeouts for the game. Benefiel was also credited for the win against Westfield and had 11 strikeouts in that game as well.
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Sophomore Brinkley Epperson is also on the mound for the Arabians. She relieved Benefiel in the final inning of the Westfield game.
The Arabians’ schedule is a loaded one, with the team facing six state-ranked teams. Two of those travel to Pendleton Heights April 6 for the Horseshoe Classic. The tournament, into its second decade, will play host to both Class 4A state champion Decatur Central and runner-up Lake Central. Other teams in attendance will be South Bend Adams, Madison-Grant, Elwood, Chesterton and Jennings County.
“We’re looking forward to the early challenges,” Davis said.
The Arabians are athletic on defense, have speed and can swing the bats.
In the home opener with Westfield, the team combined for 13 hits, with sophomore Grace Scott belting out a homerun and junior Ally Hall going 3 for 4 at the plate.
In the win over Center Grove, senior Chloe Closser went 2 for 3 and scored one of the Arabians’ two runs.
Davis is happy to have senior Amanda White back this season. She missed all of last season due to knee surgery.
Senior Jayden Brown dealt with a shoulder injury two seasons ago but is back to full strength on the Arabians’ roster.
Despite the challenging schedule, Davis is gearing toward not only a repeat of the Madison County title win but also taking the top spot in the Hoosier Heritage Conference.
Taking those titles would be another step to repeating as sectional champions.
The Arabians open the Horseshoe Classic with a 9 a.m. game Saturday, April 6, against South Bend Adams.