PENDLETON — For Pendleton Heights, Saturday’s Horseshoe Classic served as a chance for early-season redemption.
And the Arabians got just that, with a 5-3 championship game win over Class 4A No. 2-ranked Center Grove.
Two weeks ago, in the Arabians second game of the season, the Trojans defeated Pendleton Heights 15-6.
This time around, Arabians standout pitcher Eliza Findlay kept the Trojans at bay.
In the March 31 home loss to Center Grove, Findlay allowed five runs in one and one-third innings, but this time allowed three runs on 11 hits while going the distance. She struck out one and walked just one.
Down 3-0 heading into the sixth inning, she sparked the Pendleton Heights offense as well. A lead off double led to four straight Pendleton Heights base runners. Kiah Hubble singled, Addie Nichols reached on a hit-by-pitch, and Sydney Clark ripped a two-run single for the Arabians first two runs of the game.
Later in the inning, a Bo Shelton RBI single tied the game, before a Center Grove error and Morgan Humble grounder gave the Arabians a 5-3 lead.
With the game-tying run on second base for the Trojans in the seventh inning, Findlay forced three straight outs to seal the win for Pendleton Heights.
The Arabians began the tournament with a 1-0 loss to Jennings County before defeating Lake Central 14-7 in game two to reach the championship.
Shelby Messer pitched all seven innings in the Arabians win over Lake Central, allowing seven hits and three walks while striking out two.
A seven-run fourth inning where three Arabians homered fueled the Pendleton Heights win.
Shelton notched her first home run of the season, Humble added a solo shot, and Kelsey Day capped off the inning with a two-run home run. Hubble added to the Arabians’ big inning with a two-run single.
Katelin Goodwin and Alana Smith recorded the Arabians fourth and fifth home runs of the day in the sixth inning to increase the lead.
Findlay pitched all seven in the loss to Jennings County, giving up five hits and just one run while striking out four.