(Audubon, IA) — The losing streak is now over — Exira EHK Audubon ended a 5 game skid by beating IKM Manning 11-3 in 6 innings.
Taryn Petersen got the start for the Spartans and gave up a couple of two out singles but struck out Kadence Ketchum to get out of the jam. That allowed Exira EHK to strike in the bottom of the first and they took advantage of Wolves miscues — two errors led to two runs. IKM Manning got those runs back in the top of the third on a 2 run single from Karlee Arp.
The game stayed tied until the bottom of the 4th — Abby Wanser reached on another Wolve error. Brylie Petersen likewise reached on an error and Lucy Stanerson made them pay with a fly ball in the outfield that was misplayed but went for a hit to score two runs. Payton Gust followed with a RBI grounder to make it 6-3 Spartans.
Each team scored once in the 5th inning — Kaydence Ketchum had a 2 out RBI single for the Wolves and Riley Miller had a RBI double for the Spartans.
By now, Keegan Eischeid had relieved the Wolvers starter Ketchum but she ran into problems in the bottom of the 6th and once again the defense failed for the Wolves — Lucy Stanerson reached on an error and moved to 2nd on a passed ball. Gust delivered a RBI single. Anna Larsen got a bunt base hit and the Wolves went back to Ketchum in the circle. She threw a wild pitch to score Gust and then walked Jordan Mulford. Petersen then hammered a 2 run triple and Miller ended the game on the 8 run rule with a RBI base hit.
Petersen pitched 4 plus innings for the win and Miller finished it off by striking out 5 of the 7 batters she faced for the save.
Interview with Payton Gust
