Clear Creek's Bid for Perfection Rolls On

FORT DODGE - There's one place where you won't hear chatter about an undefeated season - the Clear Creek Amana dugout.The Clippers are attempting to become the first undefeated team since Urbandale went 32-0 in 1977, but their focus is on a gold trophy and not the golden goose egg.Top-ranked took one more step closer to both, beating Charles City, 6-0, in a Class 3A quarterfinal of the state softball tournament at Rogers Sports Complex.“To be honest, the undefeated thing doesn't come up in any conversation,” Clippers junior third baseman Katy Sexton said, denying the team feels added pressure to remain unbeaten. “Now that we're at the state tournament, it's not being undefeated anymore. It's just winning a state title.”The first test was a challenge to start. Charles City pitcher Bree Hackman kept Clear Creek Amana silent, retiring the first nine batters in order and pitching a shutout through four innings. It was the first time the Clippers went through their lineup without at least one base runner all season.“I didn't think we'd come out that tight, but we did” Clear Creek Amana Coach Jim White said. “The Clippers broke open a scoreless game in the fifth.Tara Walls tomahawked a pitch for a single to left to ignite the rally. An error on pinch-hitter Bekah Petersen's sacrifice bunt attempt put runners on first and third, bringing up Sexton.Sexton delivered an RBI single to left, putting the Clippers a 1-0 lead and made it a three-run advantage, scoring Melissa Walls' groundout. Cassie Downes beat a throw home from the pitcher on Ashley Akers grounder.The first run helped the team relax.“Especially the first one. You could just see everyone ‘whew'” White said making a motion while dropping his shoulders. “The state tournament is a different thing but we're not used to not scoring.”Sexton shined in the field and provided the relief for the Clippers with the game's first RBI.“I just knew I had to get it done,” she said. “There was one on three. You got to get them in somehow. I wanted to hit it hard and try to get someone in.”Sexton was fabulous in the field, making play after play at third. Sexton contributed to nine outs, including four putouts and five assists. Among those was a diving stab of Abby Platte's liner with two on and no out. She recorded a force on the next at-bat, helping thwart the Charles City (26-11) rally.Michaela Fligg pitched out of a couple jams, settling down after a wild first inning when she allowed two runners on with an error and walk. Fligg was a surprise starter in place of Moriah Morrissey, who played first but didn't hit in her usual No. 5 spot, is 25-0 with a 0.14 earned run average. White said Morrissey suffered an injury to her torso and they are being cautious. Fligg was strong, throwing the shutout and allowing just two hits.“To be honest, I've always trusted (Michaela). She's an amazing pitcher,” Sexton said. “She threw a great game.”

KCRG-TV9 VideoClear Creek Amana added a run in the sixth and two in the seventh. Michaela Fligg ripped a two-run single to center, chasing home Akers and Melissa Walls.Clear Creek Amana (43-0) faces Mount Vernon (36-8)/defending state champion Winterset (35-7) in a semifinal Thursday at 4 p.m.