MONTGOMERY CITY - Junior Kenzie Ausfahl threw a two-hitter and struck out 18, including the Montgomery County Lady Wildcats' first 15 outs, as the North Callaway Ladybirds narrowly stayed unbeaten in the EMO on Thursday night.
Ausfahl allowed an earned run in the bottom of the fifth inning and issued one walk, moving her season record to 6-2 with the complete-game victory.
North Callaway (10-3, 6-0 Eastern Missouri Conference) tallied the only runs it would need in the top of the first when senior first baseman Hanna Knipp singled home Ausfahl and senior shortstop Kallie Jo Lehenbauer.
Sophomore second baseman Ellie Eckert went 2-for-3 as the Ladybirds ended up with eight hits.
Montgomery County fell to 7-5 overall and 2-4 in the EMO.
North Callaway (5-1) won the junior varsity game 3-0.
The Ladybirds host Fulton in a nonconference matchup at 5 p.m. Monday.