Softball: Tigers rolling behind 1-2 punch on mound
Chuck Constantino Arizona Daily Star
Friday, April 5, 2013 12:00 am

Marana junior Casey Cadenhead, left, and sophomore Jordan Wengert have combined to go 20-5 for the No. 10-ranked Tigers, who have won 10 straight. - A.E. ARAIZA / ARIZONA DAILY STAR

Casey Cadenhead and Jordan Wengert are a formidable pitching duo for Marana's softball team.

In fact, coach George Corona believes they're just as good as any other pairing in Southern Arizona.

"I can't say they're better than the other duos but I think they're just as good," Corona said. "Both of them could throw all the innings if we needed them to and both take lessons and throw bullpens on their own.

"All the credit goes to them."

Behind Cadenhead, a junior, and Wengert, a sophomore - and a potent lineup - the Tigers (20-5) have won 10 straight games and are ranked 10th in Division I.

"Its nice to be a pitcher and have a really good hitting team behind you," Cadenhead said. "Even if I make a mistake and a couple of runs score, we can still pull out games."

The Tigers' 1-2 punch has accounted for all but seven innings pitched. In 149 innings pitched between the third-year varsity starter Cadenhead and second-year varsity player Wengert, opponents have scored 35 earned runs. Cadenhead is 10-3 with a 1.09 ERA. Wengert is 10-2 with 86 strikeouts in 12 starts.

The Star sat down with the duo to find out more about them:

Three similarities

1. Strong bats: Wengert is tied for the team lead in doubles with eight, while Cadenhead has six. Wengert sports a .338 batting average with 21 RBIs while Cadenhead is batting .310 with 18 RBIs.

"They like to hit the ball to the gap," Corona said. "Their approaches are similar: They're both up there to get base hits and be there when the top of the order comes up."

2. Leadership roles: Both players are considered leaders on the club. Cadenhead leads by example. Wengert is more vocal.

"If someone is down, Casey and I are the ones to bring them back up," Wengert said.

3. Mental strength: One of the strengths this duo has is each pitcher is mentally strong.

"Their demeanors don't change very much regardless of what happens during a game," Corona said. "Home run, strikeout, base hit, they stay level-headed. They don't let adversity get to them too much, both are strong-willed, even-tempered and don't get shook up when things don't go exactly right."

Three differences

1. Personalities: The two are different on the field. Corona said Cadenhead plays focused with a "follow-my-lead" attitude, while Wengert tends to keep things light with her bubbly personality.

"I bring humor," Wengert said. "If we're in tough situations, I loosen it up."

2. Pitching styles: Wengert uses her length and deceptive speed to her advantage on the mound, while Cadenhead is crafty, changing speeds with pitches that move.

"Jordan likes her fast pitches, I'm more of a change-up girl," said Cadenhead. "I like to change speeds. She generally goes straight at the batters."

3. Music choice: Before each game Wengert likes to listen to any country song. Cadenhead will listen to anything upbeat, but prefers classical music because "it's relaxing and helps puts my mind in the right place."