Spartans roll to 4th consecutive win
The Exira-EHK Spartans continue to cruise past their opponents winning yet another game in grand fashion 14-2 over the Ar-We-Va Rockets Wednesday night at home.
For the Spartans, this was their fourth consecutive win and 12th this season as they sit atop the Rolling Valley Softball Standings.
Eighth grader Riley Miller got the ball to start the game in the circle for the Spartans. She gave up one run in the top of the 1st and the top of the 3rd, but struck out eight batters and only had to pitch four innings with her team providing offense for her.
“I think she did a good job,” said Spartans Head Coach Andrea Schwery. “Obviously, there was a little frustration there in the first couple of innings, but then she settled in.”
It didn’t take long for the Spartans bats to get going as their leadoff hitter Quinn Grubbs connected at the plate for an inside-the-park home run to instantly tie the game at one.
The Spartans added another four runs in the bottom of the third inning and took their first lead when Hannah Nelson stepped to the plate knocking in two runs on a base hit and put the Spartans up 3-2.
“I think it’s awesome for Hannah,” Schwery said. “It’s always someone different stepping up and tonight it was Hannah. It was good that she had a lot of confidence. I think she’s been down the past couple of games. It only takes one swing to change how the game goes.”
The Spartans officially won the game in the bottom of the 4th inning via the mercy rule when they scored nine runs with contributions up and down the lineup.
“It’s really nice to be able to have a full lineup that can hit the ball,” said Senior Shay Burmeister. “You can always count on your teammates to step up if you’re having a tough day. That’s what we’re all here for and we have been putting the ball in play pretty well this year, so hopefully that continues.”
The Spartans will face a familiar opponent in the 8-7 Cam Cougars Thursday for their next game whom they beat 9-1 June 9 at their field. The Cougars are led by Emma Follmann who has 16 hits and bats .381. In pitching, Follmann has eight wins with 72 strikeouts and a 2.80 earned run average.
“We just have to stay focused,” Burmeister said. “Come ready to go and play our game, so we just have to do our job and get out of it.”