Indianola stuns Clippers, 3-0

FORT DODGE -- Back-to-back remains an elusive feat for Clear Creek Amana.Fourth-ranked Indianola outpitched, out-hit and outplayed the top-ranked Clippers, recording a 3-0 upset victory in Thursday's Class 4A semifinal at the state softball tournament at the Rogers Sports Complex."It's hard to describe," said Indianola pitcher Abbie Van Vleet, who stymied the Clippers and hit a home run. "I can't believe it right now."Few could.Clear Creek Amana (42-2) came into the tournament a heavy favorite to win its 11th state title and its second straight. Instead, the Indians (30-11) pulled the shocker.They'll play No. 2 Dallas Center-Grimes for the championship at 4:45 p.m. Friday. DCG (35-5) blanked Washington, 2-0.This was a surprise. But it sure didn't look like a fluke."They took it to us," said CCA Coach Jim White. "They dominated the game in every facet."We haven't been in many tight ball games, and once we got behind, we made some uncharacteristic errors -- little mistakes that we usually don't make."CCA's feelings were symbolized in the bottom of the fifth inning. All-stater Fran Strub struck out looking, walked toward the dugout and threw her bat to the ground.It was that kind of game."It's really hard losing," said Clippers pitcher Maliah Fligg. "They had a very good pitcher and really good defense. They executed every play."Indianola scored two of its three runs on wild pitches. The other came courtesy Van Vleet's 11th home run of the season.Clear Creek Amana's best shot came in the fourth, trailing 2-0. But Mariah McKinnon was thrown out trying to steal third, then the Indians got out of a two-on, two-out mini-jam when Mallory Madsen flew out to left.In the fifth, Jazmyne Neely was thrown out between second and third on Mara Jones' ground ball."You could tell we were way too jacked up, even before the game," White said. "I wrote on the white board this morning, 'Don't try TOO hard.' The seniors wanted it so bad, they tried to make it happen right then and there."Van Vleet (21-2) retired the final seven batters she faced."Until the last out, I thought we were going to get the bats going and win," Fligg said. "It sucks that we couldn't do that."CCA will face Washington (32-9) in the third-place game at 3:30 Friday afternoon.

Maliah Fligg, Miranda Hochstetler (4) and Cassie Downes. Abbie Van Vleet and Kirsten Burris. W -- Van Vleet (21-2). L -- Fligg (26-2). HR -- Van Vleet (11).

4A State Semifinal

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Clear Creek Amana

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Indianola

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