(Fort Dodge, IA) — Exira EHK Audubon needed a win to stay alive in the Class 1A State Softball Tournament and they got one in a big way. The Spartans eliminated West Monona 11-1 in 4 innings to play tonight in another elimination game.
West Monona actually took the lead in the top of the first when Georgia Jones singled off Exira EHK Audubon starter Riley Miller with two outs. Miller then walked back to back batters to load the bases and a passed ball allowed Jones to score. Miller got Brynn Stangl to line out to end the inning.
Trailing 1-0, the Spartans came back in a big way. Taryn Petersen singled; stole 2nd and moved to third on a throwing error. After West Monona starter Carly Stangl got a strike out, Miller would continue her hot hitting in the state tourney with a towering 2 run HR to center field to make it 2-1 Exira EHK Audubon.
It was a lead they never relinquished. Miller got a 1-2-3 top of the 2nd and the Spartans then sent 13 batters to the plate in the bottom of the 2nd and scored 8 runs on 4 hits plus 5 walks and 2 errors. Abby Wanser started it with a single; Zoey Rasmussen and Brenna Nelson both walked to load the bases. Wanser scored on a wild pitch to make it 3-1. After Jordan Mulford popped out, Taryn walked and Anna Larsen got a 2 run single up the middle to make it 5-1. With Miller at the plate, Taryn stole 3rd base and scored on a throwing error to make it 6-1. Miller walked and West Monona replaced Carly Stangl with Makenna Baker. Bryli Petersen greeted the new pitcher with a 2 run single to make it 8-1. After Lucy Stanerson walked, Wanser singled for a second time in the inning. Rasmussen reached on an error to score another run and Nelson got an RBI grounder to score yet another. Exira EHK Audubon was running away with it leading 10-1.
The Spartans added another run in the 3rd inning on a RBI fielders choice by Miller for a little insurance.
Miller did give up two hits in the top of the 4th but struck out Jaci Jones to end the game.
Exira EHK Audubon will now play at 7:30 pm tonight in an elimination game, coverage on KSOM.
Exira EHK Audubon
Riley Miller 4 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BB, 4 K; 1-2, HR (2), 3 RBI
Abby Wanser 2-3, run
Bryli Petersen 1-3, 2 RBI, run
Anna Larsen 1-3, 2 RBI, run
Line Score
West Monona (25-8) 1 Run, 3 Hits, 4 Errors, 5 LOB
Exira EHK Audubon (24-5) 11 Runs, 6 Hits, 1 Error, 4 LOB
W: Miller
L: Stangl
Time: 1:06
