What was once a 3-1 Exira-EHK Audubon lead turned into a 9-4 defeat to the Van Meter Bulldogs in the Class 2A Region 1 Championship game Monday night. Two aces took the circle with a trip to the state tournament on the line. Exira-EHK Audubon struck first blood in the third with a run and Van Meter answered with one. Exira-EHK Audubon put up two more in the third and Van Meter scored four to pull ahead 5-3. A four-run Bulldog seventh was too much for Exira-EHK Audubon to overcome and fell to the top-ranked team in Class 2A.

After a scoreless first two innings, Exira-EHK Audubon earned the momentum with a gorgeous bunt that rolled under two infielders’ glove for a single. Back to the top of the order and Junior Anna Larsen rocked one up the middle to score Junior Jordan Mulford. The lead didn’t last long as Van Meter responded with a run of their own. Sophomore Riley Miller issued a leadoff walk in the bottom of the third. Van Meter excelled in small ball all night long. A sacrifice bunt led to an RBI single by Mady Schnell to score Alice Ruggles. 1-1 after three.

Exira-EHK picked up right where they left offensively in the fourth by leading the inning off with a single. Patient plate appearances were crucial for Exira-EHK Audubon drawing back-to-back walks in the inning causing Van Meter to make a pitching change. Alissa Testroet ripped a base hit up the middle to put Exira-EHK Audubon back ahead by one. The very next play, a rare error committed by Finley Netten at shortstop gifted Exira-EHK Audubon a 3-1 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth.

The Bulldog offense responded immediately with a solo home run to lead off the inning. The bats ramped up after the home run with back-to-back singles and a pair of stolen bases. Exira-EHK was left confused on a sacrifice bunt leading to an error and giving the Bulldogs a two-run lead after four. Sophomore Jilly Wosmansky hit her stride in the fifth and sixth by allowing just one baserunner in those two innings,

In the bottom of the sixth, a leadoff walk followed by a fielding error put runners on early for the Bulldogs. Van Meter’s leadoff hitter, Finely Netten smacked one off the scoreboard for a three-run home run and create a five-run spread. The damage wasn’t done as Miller issued a walk followed by a third Exira-EHK fielding error made it a 9-3 game.

In the seventh, a hit batter and a pair of singles from Miller and Lucy Stanerson gave Exira-EHK their fourth and final run of the game.

Head Coach Tom Petersen said he was proud of his team’s effort.

The situation of the bunt in the fourth caused confusion.

The two seniors left a major impact in the program.

Petersen says the offseason training will be vital to get back to this point next season.

Exira-EHK Audubon finishes at 16-12 in the first year of the merger between schools.