Spartans lose twice in RVC, finish tied for league softball crown

 KIMBALLTON (July 1) -- The Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton softball team lost its final two games of the regular season last week to fall into a tie for first place in the Rolling Valley Conference.
 The Spartans lost a home game to CAM, 2-0, last Wednesday as Cougar pitcher Helen Riker fired a two-hit shutout with 12 strikeouts. CAM (15-11, 9-7 RVC) scored both of its runs in the top of the fifth.
 On Thursday, Woodbine continued its recent hot streak with a 6-4 win over Exira-EHK. The Tigers scored four runs in the first inning and were able to answer the Spartans’ three-run fourth with two more runs in the fifth. Charlie Pryor pitched all seven innings for Woodbine and also went 2-for-4 at the plate with a double and two runs scored.
 Spartan statistics were not available when this issue went to press.
 Thursday’s outcome created a tie for this year’s RVC championship as Exira-EHK (20-6 overall) and Woodbine (20-5) both finished 14-2 in league games.
 The Spartans will look to get back on the winning track when Class 1A regionals begin. They will host either Audubon or Boyer Valley in a Region 2 quarterfinal Wednesday (July 7) in Kimballton. A victory would earn the Spartans another home game on Friday.