Miller’s Walk-Off Over West Monona Sends Audubon to State SB Semis, 4-3

Audubon Coach Andrea Schwery (7-23-24)

Audubon's Riley Miller (7-23-24)

Miller’s Walk-Off Over West Monona Sends Audubon to State SB Semis, 4-3 –

(7-23-24) – It couldn’t have been a more thrilling start to State Softball play for the Wheelers.

After West Monona tied the game in the top of the 7th, freshman Riley Miller drove a pitch up the right-center field gap to score Mattie Nielsen all the way from first and give Audubon a 4-3 walk-off win in the Class 2A State Quarterfinals Tuesday.

“There was just so much going on my mind,” said Miller. “I really wanted to (win the game) that inning cause if we go another inning, who knows what would have happened. But I was going in. It was 3-1. I knew she was gonna put it in the zone, so I just went with the ball.”

Wheelers Coach Andrea Schwery wanted her batters to attack Spartans pitcher Abby Hiatt.

“I think just tell the girls be aggressive. Don't let her try and play with you. Just still be hunting your pitch. I don't be chasing. I mean, I think we figured out the strike zone pretty quick. He wasn't calling a lot of low, but just being confident we go up there trusting the work that we put in and the girls came ready to play. They're putting the ball back on the ball and it was fun to see.”

It looked like Audubon was going to win the game in the top half of the inning. But Hiatt lead the inning off with a base hit and her courtesy runner, Ashley Pittet scored on an RBI single by McKenna Baker to tie the game.

The Wheelers jumped out in front in the 3rd. After Gemini Goodwin reached 1st on an error and Taryn Petersen got single, Jordan Porsch drove in both runners with a 2-out, 2 RBI double. She would come around to score on Alexis Obermeier’s RBI single to give Audubon a 3-0 lead.

The Spartans would battle back right away, getting the first two batters on in the 4th, then getting a sac fly from Hiatt and an RBI fielder’s choice from Carly Stengel to make it a one run game.

Miller really used her defense well, allowing just 3 flyball outs over 7 innings of work while striking out 6.

“I have so much trust in my defense. I'm so proud of them and I know if a ball goes up that they're gonna be able to catch it.”

“The defense supported Riley behind her,” said Schwery. “She was getting balls that our defense can make plays on. And yeah, she really worked this offseason. She worked hard. She had a great 8th grade year, but I think she wanted more and this offseason fueled her, and she came back ready to go and she just keeps getting better every game.”

Schwery says the players from Audubon and Exira-EHK have gelled together well to make a formidable team.

“Honestly, you can't even tell who's who. They had track season together. They had some success, a lot of them went to state track so that really got the ball rolling there. And then it's just carried over. They’re just a bunch of good girls that want to win and they love softball. They just get along. They love being here, and it's fun to be around.”

Millers says it feels good to get that first win at the state softball tournament in school history.

“It's just so magical for me and my team, and I'm just so proud of us.”

For Schwery, it’s a great start, but her team is looking for more.

“That was the goal. We didn't just want to make it. We want to do something while we're here. So we'll live on, hopefully get another win tomorrow.”

Audubon will play Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont in the 2A State Semifinals Wednesday at 5:15pm.

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