Shay Burmeister was sent home from second on a Quinn Grubbs bunt and a close play at the plate was called a safe slide. That Spartan run turned out to be the only one of the game and Exira-EHK grabbed a 1-0 win over the Audubon Wheelers in a Class 1A Region 2 Quarterfinal.

Burmeister led off the bottom of the 1st with a bloop single over first base and an errant Wheeler throw to second allowed her to advance to second. Alisa Partridge was unsuccessful bunting as the next batter and eventually flew out to center. Grubbs then went for the bunt. Wheelers Catcher Hannah Thygesen successfully threw out Grubbs but Spartan Coach Andrea Nulle sent Burmeister home. Nulle said they have left early chances to score out there and she wanted to chance it.

Both starting pitchers were strong. Macy Emgarten went the distance for the Spartans, racking up 7 strikeouts and gave up just 4 hits. Kali Irlmeier went 5 innings for the Wheelers and never faced more than 4 batters in a frame. Alexis Obermeier came on for the 6th. Coach Nulle thought both defenses were strong.

Exira-EHK improved to 21-6 on the season and will host the Region 2 Semifinal on Friday night against the winner of Logan-Magnolia at Woodbine. The Wheelers had a strong end to their season and end with a record of 15-11.