(Audubon) Exira-EHK-Audubon exploded for 10 runs in the bottom of the third inning to defeat Fremont-Mills in a Class 1A Region #2 championship and advance to the State Softball Tournament in Fort Dodge next week, winning 12-1 over Fremont-Mills in four innings.
The Spartans collected 12 runs on 12 hits while playing flawless defense, committing no errors. Riley Miller turned in a dominant performance in the circle, allowing just one run on one hit over the complete game. She struck out five, walked two, and hit one batter to earn the victory.
Fremont-Mills grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Reese Gute drew a one-out walk, and Adelynn Billingsley followed with an RBI double. The Spartans answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning. Taryn Petersen led off with a single, stole second, advanced to third on Anna Larsen’s sacrifice bunt, and scored on Riley Miller’s groundout to tie the game. Brylie Petersen later reached on an error and came around to score on a ground ball that resulted in a throwing error, giving the Spartans a 2-1 advantage after the opening inning.
Miller kept the momentum rolling by retiring the side in order in the second inning, and the Spartans broke the game open with a 10-run third inning. Taryn Petersen ignited the rally with a leadoff single before Anna Larsen reached on an error. Riley Miller followed with a base hit, Brylie Petersen drew a walk, and Lucy Stanerson and Abby Wanser delivered back-to-back singles. Zoey Rasmussen reached on a fielder’s choice, while Brenna Nelson, Jordan Mulford, Taryn Petersen, and Larsen each added singles during the outburst. Miller capped the inning with a sacrifice fly that drove in the Spartans’ 10th run of the frame.
Miller finished her dominant outing by retiring the side in order again in the fourth inning, sealing the victory after allowing just one run on one hit while striking out five.
Taryn Petersen went 3-3 at the plate to lead the Spartans. Anna Larsen, Riley Miller, Lucy Stanerson, Abby Wanser, Brenna Nelson, Zoey Rasmussen, and Jordan Mulford each hit singles.
No. #1 Exira-EHK-Audubon advances to the state tournament with a 23-4 record.
Check back for interviews from Head Coach Tom Petersen, Taryn Petersen, and Riley Miller.
(Photo courtesy of Brian Rathjen of the Atlantic News Telegraph)
