Stillwater coach Angie Ryan had a similar opinion as her veteran pitcher.

“[Benning] was a little bit tight in the beginning, I think our whole team was for some reason,” Ryan said. “She settled in and started to lead us more from the circle as the game went along.”

Indeed, Benning was in control as she went on. Along with the double-digit strikeouts, she gave up just two hits en route to throwing a complete-game gem.

The Ponies (9-0, 8-0) are in a unique situation compared to many teams. While most schools statewide are fielding varsity rosters lacking experience due to the COVID-19 shutdown and a canceled spring season a year ago, the Ponies boast eight juniors and four seniors, many of whom had played varsity together prior to this year.

“We’re very experienced,” Ryan said. “Even though they’re juniors, they’ve been on the team since they were in eighth grade, so we actually have a lot of experience out there.”

Benning relied on that experience and help from her teammates to help her settle in early Friday. The trust the pitcher had for her teammates, and vice versa, was apparent in helping the Ponies defeat the No. 10-4A Raptors.

“We’ve all been playing together for many years, and most of us are friends off the field so we work really well together,” Benning said. “We have great cohesion.”

Big help from one of Benning’s teammates came in the bottom of the fifth inning in the form of a two-run blast knocked by Smetana, who gave Stillwater the 3-1 lead it never surrendered.

“We’ve been together since we were 7 and 8 [years old]. These are the girls that I first started playing softball with,” Smetana said. “We just know how to work together.”

East Ridge (6-4, 5-4) was in the game right up until the end, providing a Raptors’ roster, which includes just two seniors, an opportunity that should boost the team’s overall confidence as the season progresses, according to Raptors coach Troy Gross.

“I thought it was a good defensive battle for both teams, a pitching duel for the game. I thought both teams played really well,” Gross said. “We’re looking forward to the next time we get to see them.”

With another victory in the books, Benning can now set her sights on an unusual situation. Stillwater faces White Bear Lake on Monday for the second time this season, but the Ponies have yet to finish their first matchup with the Bears from April 12. 

The teams played to a 2-2 tie that day, requiring extra innings, but the balance of the game was paused until the teams renew their rivalry on May 3. Benning had thrown the full game up to that point, and there’s no reason to think she won’t be in the circle for the eighth inning Monday when the teams resume play to finally determine a winner.