Muscatine softball led all season by Skylar Peterson & Aubrey Bender

Muscatine softball just one win away from making another state tournament trip to Fort Dodge.

The Muskies avenged their postseason loss from 2021 against Bettendorf Saturday to keep their season alive.

The big reason for success? The relationship between pitcher, Skylar Peterson and catcher Aubrey Bender.

“We’ve had our ups and downs this season especially with hitting and fielding but we’ve definitely gotten better from the first practice we had,” Peterson said. “I love Aubrey behind the plate. She’s very important to me. She’s the one who hypes me up and keeps the team hype. Very loud, confident and upbeat.”

“Our friendship has grown so much and its helped so much. We have so much trust for each other out there,” Bender said. “I know once we can focus, its just about doing our thing. Before we had that trust. We were not as good. Now that we have it, were better than we’ve ever been.”

“Last year Skylar was the number two and now she’s the number one. She’s embraced the role,” head coach Steve Hopkins said. “Works hard. Never satisfied with what she’s doing. Has a great relationship with Aubrey, who was on the bench a lot. Waiting for her opportunity playing behind a senior catcher last year. She’s embraced that role. Both kids who last year, didn’t play a big role who now this year play the big role. They have both done a great job of stepping up.”

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