(Audubon, IA) — In a classic pitcher’s duel, Riley Miller of Exira EHK Audubon threw a 3 hit shutout to lead the Spartans to the Regional Finals in a 1-0 win over Earlham on Friday night.
Hits were hard to come by in the game — the Cardinals actually outhit the Spartans 3-2.
Earlham’s Eden Forcht retired the first 7 batters she faced but let one get away against Alissa Testroet, hitting her foot and she moved to 2nd base on a passed ball. After Jordan Mulford popped out, Taryn Petersen drove one into left center for a 2 out RBI single scoring Testroet and it was 1-0 Exira.
The Spartans only got one more hit and baserunner the rest of the game — Zoey Rasmussen got a leadoff double in the bottom of the 5th but Exira could not drive her in.
As it turned out, the one run was all Miller would need. She allowed just one baserunner through the first 4 innings on a 2 out walk in the 3rd inning. In the top of the 5th, Jenna Yetter reached on an error, Kenna Harskamp popped out and Ally Presler reached on another error but Miller got a ground out and strikeout to end the threat.
With two outs in the 6th, Haley Glade broke up the no hitter with a single to right. Forcht followed with an infield single but Miller got Yetter to pop out. In the top of the 7th, Keely Keller got a 2 out single to right and after fouling off many pitches, Miller struck out Zoe Nixt in a 13 pitch at bat to end the game.
Petersen went 1-3 and drove in the only run for Exira EHK Audubon
Miller finished with just one walk and seven strikeouts.
Forcht for Earlham allowed just the one ER on two hits, did not walk anybody but hit a batter that scored the only run and struck out 4.
Earlham finishes their season at 14-19.
Exira EHK Audubon will meet either Van Meter or Interstate 35 on Monday night, coverage on KS 95. The Bulldogs and Roadrunners got rained out and make up their game on Saturday. If Van Meter wins, it would be a rematch of the 2A state championship from last year
Line Score
Earlham (14-19) — 0 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 6 LOB
Exira EHK Audubon (16-11) — 1 run, 2 hits, 2 errors, 2 LOB
W: Miller (13-8)
L: Forcht (12-12)
Time: 1:17
