Clippers settle for 4th in Class 3A

FORT DODGE -- Layne Grgurich hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning to give Chariton the lead, and the Chargers went on to defeat Clear Creek Amana, 4-1, in the Class 3A third-place game at the state softball tournament Friday at the Rogers Sports Complex.Chariton finished 27-4; CCA ended at 39-7.Clear Creek Amana struck first, on Mallory Madsen's RBI single in the top of the second inning. Caitlin Wnek led off with a single, moved to second, then scored on Madsen's hit.Tanna Seuferer led off the fourth with a single, then Grgurich followed by sending a 1-2 pitch over the fence in left-center field.Chariton added two runs in the fifth, on an RBI double by Amelia McGee and a run-scoring single by Seuferer.Katy Sexton was 2-for-4 for the Clippers, who outhit the Chargers, 7-5.Wnek and Fran Strub were selected to the 3A all-tournament team.

Clear Creek Amana .......................... 010 000 0 -- 1  7  3

Chariton .......................................... 000 220 x -- 4  5  1

Mariah McKinnon and Cassie Downes. Tanna Seuferer and Hally Lenzine. HR: Chariton -- Layne Grgurich.