Exira-EHK/Audubon is heading to Fort Dodge for the state softball tournament following a dominant 12-1 victory over Fremont-Mills on Monday night. Fremont-Mills got out to a 1-0 lead in the 1st inning, but Exira-EHK/Audubon stole the lead right back with 2 runs in the bottom of the inning. They officially put the game away with a 10 run third inning to take a 12-1 lead in the third inning. Riley Miller recorded the final three outs to send Exira-EHK/Audubon back to Fort Dodge.
Although the game ended heavily in favor of Exira EHK/Audubon, the game did not start that way. Riley Miller faced some adversity in the first inning, allowing three of the first four hitters to reach. A double down the third base line by Adelynne Billingsly gave Fremont-Mills an early 1-0 lead. That lead did not hold for very long in the bottom half of the inning. Taryn Peterson started things off with a single and came around to score on back to back groundouts. Back to back errors by the Knights allowed Bryli Peterson to come all the way around to score and gave Exira-EHK/Audubon a 2-1 lead.
Not much happened in the 2nd inning except a phenomenal double play turned by Fremon-Mills thirdbasemen Kinley Blackburn. The third inning, however, brought the most excitement. Taryn Peterson, who would hit and score twice in the inning, lead things off with a triple to set the tone. Anna Larsen reached on an error, Riley Miller singled and they were rolling with no one out in the third. Two more hits and two fielder’s choices later and Exira-EHK/Audubon had scored 7 runs on one out in the third inning. Jordan Mulford hit a single into right to make it a 9-1 ballgame. Both Taryn Peterson and Anna Larsen collected base hits and scored for the second time. Those hits brought Mulford around to score to make it 12-1 and put Exira-EHK/Aududon three outs away from the state tournament.
Riley Miller did what she does best, striking out two of the final three batters in the fourth to secure the run rule victory and sent her team to Fort Dodge where they will have the chance to play for a state title beginning on Monday. Head Coach Tom Peterson is very proud of the girls and the work they put in to clinch a state tournament berth.
Riley Miller only allowed one hit on Wednesday and added five strikeouts to bring her season total to 191. Coach Peterson knows he can trust her in the big moments:
Although the first inning run by Fremont-Mills was a little nerve wracking, shortstop Taryn Peterson knew that her team was good enough to pull through the early adversity:
She gave her thoughts about what it will take for this team to do damage at the state tournament:
Exira-EHK/Audubon’s first round matchup and time has still yet to be decided, but they will for sure begin their state title run on Monday in Fort Dodge.
