(Kimballton) Helen Riker retired 21 straight batters and CAM defeated Exira-EHK 2-0 on Wednesday.
The Cougars pick up their third consecutive win to start the week behind the brilliant pitching performance. Exira-EHK’s Shay Burmeister led off the game with a single and the next batter, Alisa Partridge, reached on a bunt single. Those two would be the only Spartan baserunners all night. Riker induced a pop up for the first out of the inning. With runners at 2nd and 3rd she struck out the #4 and #5 hitters in Exira-EHK’s order to end the threat. It started a string of seven consecutive strikeouts.
Macy Emgarten takes the loss despite a strong outing for Exira-EHK. She allowed three hits, two walks, and struck out 11. CAM took advantage of an error and a dropped third strike to plate two runs in the 5th. Jenna Platt reached on a one out walk. With two away, Maddy Holtz struck out on a wild pitch and darted to first to extend the inning. Platt scored on an error for the game’s first run. She was on third when Exira-EHK attempted to pick her off, but the throw got away from the third baseperson and into left field. Marissa Spieker singled in Holtz and the 2-0 Cougar lead held up as the final.
Lilly Applegate and Emma Follmann had the only other hits for CAM. They improve to 14-11 on the season. Exira-EHK, now 20-4, had been unbeaten in the Rolling Valley Conference in each of the last two season’s prior to Wednesday’s setback.
