In dramatic fashion again, the Audubon Wheelers softball team came back to win against the Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Rockets 3-2 in the Class 2A State Semifinals. The start of the game was typical for Audubon softball as it quickly turned into a pitcher’s duel between Audubon’s Riley Miller and the Rockets Lanie Batterson. Miller was commanding in her first three innings of pitching giving up no runs, no hits, and 5 strikeouts. The Rockets finally broke through in the top of the fourth inning with a string of three hits in a row, including a 2 RBI double from Aliya Wagamon giving them the lead at 2-0. The Wheelers did minimize the damage thanks to a double play from Taryn Petersen who caught a pop fly and tagged the runner at second to end the top of the inning.

The game would remain at 2-0 while the Audubon bats remained silent, only having one hit throughout the first six innings. Time was running out for the Wheelers as they started the bottom of the seventh. Jordan Porsch was the leadoff hitter and she delivered with a single to put a runner on. Riley Miller was next up to bat and she drew a walk, putting the tying run on first with no outs. Alexis Obermeier then stepped into the batter’s box delivering an RBI single to make the score 2-1 and advancing the tying run to third base. Addie Hocker was up to hit and she hit a grounder towards second base to put herself on first due to a fielder’s choice. Hocker would steal second moving the go ahead in scoring position and Michelle Brooks took care of the rest hitting a line fly ball out towards right field for a 2 RBI walk off single and giving Audubon the victory at 3-2.

Miller again helped her team with the comeback pitching a full game, with 2 earned runs, 3 hits, and 6 strikeouts. Batterson also had a respectable day for Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont pitching over 6 innings, giving up 3 earned runs, 4 hits, and 2 strikeouts. Audubon head coach Andrea Schwery credited her teams win to their ability of staying motivated and calm.

Michelle Brooks went 1-3 for Audubon with a 2 RBI single and the walk off hit. She commented on how surreal the feeling of going to the state championship is.

Alexis Obermeier was also a key contributor with her 1-3 day and lone RBI in the bottom of the seventh inning. Part of her success in Fort Dodge is the trust she shares between her teammates.

The win against the Rockets will advance the Wheelers to the state championship game for the first time in program history. For Obermeier and her teammates they plan on staying positive and secure in one another.

The state championship game will be played against the 42-1 Van Meter Bulldogs on Friday. Coach Schwery’s approach to Friday is taking it one game at a time.

First pitch for the Class 2A state championship game is set for 5:00pm on the 26th.