PENDLETON — Since opening day, the Arabian softball team has had little down time, but has had several ups and downs during the past week.
Pendleton Heights had an unfinished Horseshoe Classic, achieved an honor for Coach Rob Davis and recorded a 9-6 loss to Hoosier Heritage Conference foe Shelbyville one day before heading into the Madison County Tournament.
The loss to Shelbyville on Legends Field was a home run derby with the teams tallying eight between them. Bo Shelton started the slug fest in the first inning with a three-run homer, tying the game at 3-3. Shelton has seven for the season.
Kielie Ryan hit a solo to center in the third inning. Grace Scott sent the ball over the right center-field filed in the fifth inning, followed by Caroline DeRolf’s dinger in the same inning.
However, the Arabians weren’t able to overcome three errors and the powerful Golden Bears.
“Mentally, I don’t know. I thought we were a little flat,” Davis said.
Back-to-back homers by Shelbyville in the fifth inning gave them a 6-4 lead, which the Arabians answered to tie the game at 6-6.
In the sixth inning, Haley Brunnemer’s diving catch in centerfield put two outs up on the board, but the Golden Bears were able to cross the plate three more times on a Katie Mathies homer.
Shelbyville leads the state in home runs.
The loss put the Arabians at 4-3 and 1-1 in the HHC.
“Plays have to be made. I have to figure out what’s going on there. We just have to learn from our mistakes and get better.”
Before the game, Coach Davis was honored on the field for his 200th win, all with Pendleton Heights.
The milestone came on the 22-15 win against Jennings County during the Horseshoe Classic on April 10. In that game, Shelton hit two homers, while Kylie Davis and Scott added one apiece.
The Arabians were able to complete their second game before rains halted play and ended the tournament.
Davis was humble about his achievement.
“I’m not here for the wins. It’s about these girls. If it wasn’t for the girls, I wouldn’t have these 200 wins,” Davis said. “Once it’s all over, I’ll sit back and enjoy it. I’m here to compete, and that’s what I want these girls to do.”
In the first game of the tournament, the Arabians fell to No. 3-ranked Decatur Central 5-1.