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Softball Fab 15: Six-game win streak launches Pendleton Heights up rankings

Brian Haenchen, Indianapolis Star
·7 min read

A number of the state's best teams went head-to-head last week, resulting in a number of changes to our weekly Central Indiana high school softball power rankings.

1. Roncalli (9-1)

Roncalli Royals Sarah Hofmann (9) and Carley Keller (20) catch a fly ball against the Carmel Greyhounds during the Carmel Softball Invitational on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the Cherry Tree Softball Complex in Carmel, Indiana.
Roncalli Royals Sarah Hofmann (9) and Carley Keller (20) catch a fly ball against the Carmel Greyhounds during the Carmel Softball Invitational on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the Cherry Tree Softball Complex in Carmel, Indiana.

LW: 1

Here's a wild stat: The Royals' loss to Pendleton Heights was only their fourth since May 2021. A more relevant number: They've committed only five errors on 235 chances in the field (includes catcher). I don't have a good statistical point of reference from last season, but with Keagan Rothrock in the circle, most at-bats ended with a strikeout. Roncalli's pitchers have all been excellent this season — the ball's just being put in play more often.

"Last year at third I got some bunts, but other than that, there wasn't really anything put in play," junior Carley Keller said with a smile. "It's definitely been more exciting in the field."

More: Zionsville softball 'going in the right direction,' will follow sophomore ace's lead.

Carmel Invite takeaways: Avry Miller in the clutch, Roncalli, Penn, Carmel, more

2. Pendleton Heights (10-4)

Pendleton Heights Arabians players cheer on their team against the Penn Kingsmen during the Carmel Softball Invitational on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the Cherry Tree Softball Complex in Carmel, Indiana.
Pendleton Heights Arabians players cheer on their team against the Penn Kingsmen during the Carmel Softball Invitational on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the Cherry Tree Softball Complex in Carmel, Indiana.

Last week: 12

I mentioned last week that I was waiting for the Arabians to “put everything together and really take off.” They’re still cleaning some things up defensively, but on the heels of a six-win week that included triumphs over Roncalli, Penn and in extra innings vs. Brownsburg, it sure seems like this team's turning a corner. They just keep finding ways to win. Congratulations again to coach Rob Hunt on securing the program’s all-time wins record; read more about the Carmel Invite online.

3. Center Grove (10-4)

Center Grove High School junior Sydney Herrmann (16) makes the catch at first base to get an out on Pendleton Heights High School senior Kiah Hubble (10) during an IHSAA softball game, Friday, March 29, 2024. Host Center Grove won, 7-6.
Center Grove High School junior Sydney Herrmann (16) makes the catch at first base to get an out on Pendleton Heights High School senior Kiah Hubble (10) during an IHSAA softball game, Friday, March 29, 2024. Host Center Grove won, 7-6.

LW: 3

After rolling by Bloomington South, the Trojans beat Avon for the second time this season with Riley Fuhr and Riley Henson outlasting Madeline Herman to secure a 3-1 victory, and swept the Russ Milligan Classic with wins over Bedford North Lawrence (scored three in the sixth to win, 8-7) and Columbus North. CG racked up 18 hits against the Bull Dogs with Sydney Herrmann homering twice (six RBIs), and Brynn Meyer, Mae Munson and Hannah Haberstroh all picking up three hits.

4. Cathedral (12-2)

LW: 4

There's little to no separation among the top-five teams this week and there's certainly an argument for Cathedral to be ranked higher following its 4-1 week, which included wins over Noblesville and Tecumseh at the Carmel Invite. Anna Moore broke a 2-2 tie vs. Noblesville with an RBI triple in the bottom of the fifth; Amya Gary and Lauren Wright teamed up to walk it off in the seventh vs. Tecumseh. Cathedral closes out April with Lawrence North, Avon and Roncalli.

5. Mooresville (12-2)

LW: 2

Same note as above, though the Pioneers are coming off a tough loss to Brownsburg, which scored two runs in the seventh to tie, then won it in the eighth with a walk-off homer by AG Pogue. Mooresville has just two games this week with a conference home-and-home vs. Franklin.

6. Fishers (9-5)

Fishers Tigers Jenna Grubb (11) stands in the outfield during the game against the Hamilton Southeastern Royals on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at Fishers High School in Fishers. The Fishers Tigers defeated the Hamilton Southeastern Royals, 1-0.
Fishers Tigers Jenna Grubb (11) stands in the outfield during the game against the Hamilton Southeastern Royals on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at Fishers High School in Fishers. The Fishers Tigers defeated the Hamilton Southeastern Royals, 1-0.

LW: 5

Two close wins (5-3 vs. Lawrence North; 1-0 vs. Westfield), a narrow loss (4-1 vs. Yorktown) and a blowout win over Lafayette Jefferson. That's a recap of the past week for the Tigers, who have the Mudsock game vs. Hamilton Southeastern on Tuesday. Jenna Grubb played a big role in those first two wins, posting a double, triple and two runs vs. LN (Kate Murray also homered); and driving in the winning run with a two-out base hit in the fifth vs. Westfield.

7. Tri-West (10-4)

Tri-West's Audrey Lowry poses for a photo Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at the Indianapolis Star.
Tri-West's Audrey Lowry poses for a photo Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at the Indianapolis Star.

LW: 7

A 5-1 week for the Bruins, with the lone loss — a 10-9 setback vs. WeBo — coming in the second game of a doubleheader. Ace Audrey Lowry did not pitch in that one, but she did take the circle vs. 4A foe Plainfield, spinning an eight-inning, three-hit shutout with nine strikeouts. The Oklahoma commit struck out 11 and allowed only one unearned run in a 3-1 win over Cascade. A trip to Carmel (Thursday) and visit from Westfield (Friday) highlight this week's schedule.

8. Hamilton Southeastern (10-3)

LW: 8

The Royals let a 9-0 lead slip away vs. Whiteland on Saturday (ace Grace Swedarsky struck out the side in her one inning pitched), but bounced back with a run-rule win over Brownstown Central, which featured three hits apiece from Lani Wyrick, Reese Garland and Makenna Selm. That Saturday split was preceded by wins over Avon and Lawrence North. Big stretch upcoming for the Royals with Fishers, Pendleton Heights, Zionsville, Noblesville and Brownsburg over the next two weeks.

9. New Palestine (6-0)

LW: 9

Good week for the Dragons, who paired conference wins over Yorktown and Mt. Vernon with triumphs over Westfield and Zionsville. They've got a balanced, potent lineup and are really good defensively, especially on the infield with Allie Blum at shortstop. She made some dazzling plays Friday vs. the Eagles. Sadey Hughbanks and Courtney Study have combined for 23 strikeouts thus far; Hughbanks has yet to allow a run through 13 innings.

10. Westfield (7-5)

Cathedral Fighting Irish Maddie Liter (33) slides into second base against Westfield Shamrocks Sofia Easterhaus (1) on Saturday, April 13, 2024, during the game at the Cathedral High School in Indianapolis.
Cathedral Fighting Irish Maddie Liter (33) slides into second base against Westfield Shamrocks Sofia Easterhaus (1) on Saturday, April 13, 2024, during the game at the Cathedral High School in Indianapolis.

LW: 6

The Rocks snapped a five-game losing streak over the weekend with wins over Huntington North and Franklin County. The run of losses came against quality opponents, including 2023 Class A runner-up Caston on Friday. Westfield will have a chance to regain some momentum this week with games against Noblesville, Yorktown and Tri-West.

11. Brownsburg (7-6)

Brownsburg Bulldogs Macy Twomey (11) waits in the on-deck circle before hitting against the Lake Central Indians during the Carmel Softball Invitational on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the Cherry Tree Softball Complex in Carmel, Indiana.
Brownsburg Bulldogs Macy Twomey (11) waits in the on-deck circle before hitting against the Lake Central Indians during the Carmel Softball Invitational on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the Cherry Tree Softball Complex in Carmel, Indiana.

LW: 10

Tough week for the Bulldogs, who went 1-4 with the lone win coming in extra innings over Mooresville. On the upside, all four losses were close, including games against Lake Central and Pendleton Heights. Brownsburg battled back from a 10-1 deficit in a three-run loss to Lake Central (four RBIs for Ashley Sylvia), then scored four in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings against Pendleton Heights.

12. Cascade (9-1)

LW: 13

The Cadets held their own against Tri-West, with Grace Gray striking out 13 and allowing three runs on six hits over six innings. Ava Allen led the offense with three hits (including a triple), while freshman Emmyrson Nottingham drove in the team's lone run off Lowry.  Cascade has an interesting back-to-back this week with Triton Central on Tuesday followed by Beech Grove on Thursday.

13. Noblesville (6-6)

Noblesville High School junior Addi Emmerson (7) heads to home after hitting a home run where her teammates prepare to greet her during an IHSAA softball game against Lawrence North High School, Friday, April 12, 2024, at Lawrence North High School.
Noblesville High School junior Addi Emmerson (7) heads to home after hitting a home run where her teammates prepare to greet her during an IHSAA softball game against Lawrence North High School, Friday, April 12, 2024, at Lawrence North High School.

LW: 11

A really tough slate of games — Harrison, Western, Penn, Cathedral and Castle — dropped the Millers back to .500 and things won't get any easier this week with New Palestine, Westfield, Pendleton Heights, Decatur Central and Plainfield.

14. Zionsville (6-2)

Zionsville High School freshman Tess Bradford (15) readies in the infield during an IHSAA softball game against New Palestine High School, Friday, April 19, 2024, at New Palestine High School. New Palestine won, 6-1.
Zionsville High School freshman Tess Bradford (15) readies in the infield during an IHSAA softball game against New Palestine High School, Friday, April 19, 2024, at New Palestine High School. New Palestine won, 6-1.

LW: 14

Maddie Benedict's seventh-inning homer lifted the Eagles to a 1-0 win over Brownsburg. Sophomore Kristin Evers and freshman Hadley Bray pitched 5.1 innings in a 12-9 loss to Greenfield-Central (important experience for the underclassmen), then Leah Helton totaled 13 Ks in Friday's loss to New Palestine. Zionsville traveled to Harrison on Monday.

Homers, gems and steals: Vote for IndyStar softball players of the week (April 15-20)

t-15. Beech Grove (12-3)

LW: 15

The Hornets used a seven-run sixth to beat Triton Central, 10-2, then rested star pitcher Malone Moore against North Central (lost, 9-4). Her younger sister, freshman Harper Moore, is having an excellent season: .582 average with 15 RBIs, 16 runs scored and 19 stolen bases. Beech Grove closes out April against Cascade, Hamilton Heights and Lapel — all quality opponents.

t-15. Lapel (10-2)

LW: 15

Freshman pitcher Addison Bodenhorn and the Bulldogs grinded out a 4-2 win over Mississinewa on Tuesday, then Lapel breezed by Knightstown and Muncie Central, beating them by combined score of 38-5. This week should provide some quality tests with North Central and Mt. Vernon.

On the cusp: Plainfield (12-2) — The Quakers' only losses have come against Avon and in extra innings vs. Tri-West. They have a couple really good pitchers in Sidney Parks (6-1, 0.59 ERA, 84 strikeouts) and Kami Arnett (6-0, 1.20 ERA, 64 strikeouts), plus a lineup led by sophomore Ayva Mayes that's generated 102 runs through 14 games. Plainfield has a good test at Noblesville on Saturday; things really heat up in May with Cascade, Mooresville and New Palestine lined up over a seven-day stretch.

Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IHSAA softball Fab 15 rankings in flux following marquee matchups