WILLARD — Miley Shafer celebrated her 15th birthday in style.
Clear Fork’s freshman pitcher twirled a complete-game three-hitter as No. 2 Clear Fork held off No. 4 Norwalk 2-1 in a Division II district semifinal game Tuesday in Willard.
The unassuming Shafer struck out eight and did not walk a batter. She gave up an unearned run in the sixth, but was otherwise untouchable.
“My nerves were through the roof, but I felt like I handled it well knowing I had a good defense behind me,” Shafer said. “That’s all we needed.
“I knew that they were a good team and I had to throw my best game and that’s what I did.”
Clear Fork (17-7) scored an unearned run in the bottom of the first. Leadoff hitter Melanie Blubaugh bunted for a base hit and moved to second on a throwing error. She moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a two-out passed ball to make it 1-0.
It would stay that way until the top of the sixth when Callie Helton led off with a single to center for the Truckers (15-9). Helton moved to second on a sacrifice and came around to tie the score at 1-1 on a throwing error.
The Colts reclaimed the lead in the home half of the sixth. With one out, Hailly Thrush reached on an error and stole second. She came around to score on Addy Schosser’s bunt base hit to give the Colts a 2-1 lead.
The rest was up to Shafer and the right-hander didn’t disappoint. She retired the first two batters in the top of the seventh before surrendering an infield single to C.J. Bennett. She then induced a popout to the catcher to end the game.
“I’ve coached her since she was 8 years old and she’s probably the most composed kid I’ve been around,” Clear Fork coach Chris Clapper said. “And it’s her birthday.
“She’s had the ball all year. There’s no sense in changing it now.”
Clear Fork managed just three hits off Norwalk starter Haley Gockstetter. The senior struck out eight and did not walk a batter.
“Playing small ball and causing chaos, it’s a big key to our success,” Clapper said.
Clear Fork will meet Lexington for a district title at 5 p.m. Thursday in Willard. Lady Lex dispatched Ontario 7-1 in Tuesday’s early game.
“They are a tough team,” Shafer said of Lexington. “We have to (limit) our mental mistakes.”