(Ft. Dodge, IA) — The Audubon softball team continues to have a flair for the dramatic. Freshman Riley Miller shot a hit into the gap in right center to score Maddie Nielsen from first and the Wheelers beat West Monona 4-3 in the first round of the 2A State Softball Tournament.
Miller was dominant in the circle early for Audubon, retiring the first 9 batters she faced. Spartans starter Abby Hiatt was tough in the first 2 frames only allowing 1 walk. Audubon would break through the 2nd time through their order against Hiatt in the bottom of the 3rd. Gemini Goodwin hit a grounder to third but Bri Hill threw it away for an error. After Nielsen struck out, Taryn Petersen singled up the middle and then Jordan Porsch drove one to the wall for a 2 out 2 run double to put the Wheelers on the board. After Miller walked, Alexis Obermeier followed with a RBI single and Aududon led 3-0.
It did not take long for West Monona to strike back. Leading off the 4th, Kacy Miller hit a hard grounder to short for an infield single and the first baserunner allowed by Riley Miller. Savannah Lucas then threw down a bunt but the Wheelers could not make the play and there were runners on the corners. Kacy Miller would score on a sac fly by Abby Hiatt and Lucas came in on an RBI grounder from Carly Stangel. The lead had been cut to one, 3-2.
It would stay that way until the 7th inning. In the top of the 7th, Hiatt got a leadoff single and her courtesy runner Ashlee Pittet moved to 2nd on a bunt. After Bri Hill flew out to deep left, McKenna Baker blooped in a single to right to score Pittet to tie the game at 3. Baker would be thrown out at 2nd on a caught stealing.
In the bottom of the 7th, it was Audubon’s turn to turn the tables. Mattie Nielsen started the magic with a single to left that bounce right on the line. After Petersen was ruled out on interference, Jordan Porsch flew out to center, setting the stage for Riley Miller. She slashed a liner to left and Nielsen scampered home all the way from first and the Wheelers had another dramatic 1 run victory. Audubon is now 8-1 in one run games this season.
Riley Wheeler talks about the final at bat and pitching Audubon to their first state tournament victory in school history
Mattie Nielsen talked about scoring the winning run for the Wheelers
Audubon Head Coach Andrea Schwery
Audubon (28-4) will face Eddyville Blakesburg Fremont (22-14) in the 2A Semifinals on Wednesday night, coverage on 96.5 FM KSOM.
