The Exira-EHK softball team came up just short in their quest to be the first Spartans squad to reach the state tournament, suffering a 3-0 loss to Southeast Warren on Monday night in Milo.

The pitchers dominated much of the game. Southeast Warrens’ Alivia Rubel struck out 13 Spartan batters and only gave up three hits in the shutout. Exira-EHK’s Macy Emgarten fanned 10 Warhawks and didn’t give up any earned runs.

The Spartans made some defensive miscues that gave the Warhawks the chance to pounce. They got their first run in the third after Emma King got on base with a dropped fly ball. The next batter, Lexi Clendenen, earned a walk and the Spartans made an errant throw to third to try to keep the baserunner at second and King came around to score.

The other two runs for the Warhawks came in the 5th. Emma King led with a double and Lexi Clendenen laid down a nicely placed bunt The throw attempt to first was a missed connection and King came around to score while Clendenen moved on to second. Two batters later Kaylee Tigner belted an RBI single to bring another run home.

Exira-EHK went down in order in the sixth and seventh to close the game. The Spartans finish with a 22-4 record and SE Warren improved to 23-4. The Warhawks return to State for the second year in a row.