FORT DODGE — Jim White said that Moriah Morrissey was getting close to the end of her rope.

To the casual observer, it looked as if she could have pitched all night.

Morrissey allowed only six baserunners — none of which advanced past second base — and top-ranked Clear Creek Amana broke through in the top of the 11th inning to outlast No. 4 Winterset, 1-0, in a Class 3A semifinal at the state softball tournament Thursday afternoon at the Rogers Sports Complex.

“It seemed like she was running out of gas,” said White, the Clippers’ coach.

Could have fooled the rest of us.

CCA (44-0) plays for the 3A title at 5:30 this afternoon. A victory would make the Clippers the state’s first unbeaten team since Urbandale did it in 1977.

Standing in their way is No. 3 Carlisle (38-1), which defeated Keokuk, 2-0, Thursday.

“This is exactly what we’ve been working for since we lost (in regionals) last year,” said Katy Sexton, whose infield ground ball drove in pinch-runner Mariah McKinnon for the game’s lone run.

Morrissey (26-0) has been suffering from a strained muscle near her rib cage since last week. She didn’t pitch in Tuesday’s quarterfinal, but went the distance — and beyond — Thursday.

From KCRG-TV9′s John Campbell

“I’m a little sore now,” she said. “I tried to focus on the game as much as I could. I didn’t let it affect me at all.”

She allowed three hits (none after the seventh inning) and two walks. She retired the defending-champion Huskies (35-8) in order in the 10th and 11th.

“I just tried to keep the ball up and out against them,” Morrissey said. “I didn’t want to pitch strikes for them to hit.”

Winterset committed three errors, and the final two contributed to the Clippers’ run.

Maliah Fligg led off the 11th with a grounder to third that Amanda Brill misplayed. After Tara Walls bunted McKinnon to second, Sexton hit the ball up the middle.

Shortstop Macie Silliman made a spectacular diving play to glove the ball, but threw it away as McKinnon scampered home.

“I had confidence though I hadn’t done anything all day,” said Sexton, who was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts before her appearance in the 11th. “I just had to hit it as hard as I could.”

The Clippers, who hit .415 as a team and average 11 runs per game, didn’t get a runner past second base until the 11th.

“Their pitcher (Jenna Creger) pitched awesome,” White said. “We made good contact, but most of it was off the end of the bat.”

Ashley Akers had two of CCA’s four hits.

The Clippers stand one win away from their ninth state title — and perfection.

“I’m happy, but I’m a little worried,” White said. “I’m sure this took a lot out of us. But it’s good to be in this kind of position.”

A home run in the bottom of the eighth inning allowed Waukee to knock off West Des Moines Valley, 5-4, in a 4A semifinal. In the other one, Johnston beat Sioux City East, 5-1.

Winterset is the home team.

Starters for Clear Creek Amana (43-0): 3B Sexton, CF Akers, SS M.Walls, 2B Wnek, 1B Micaela Fligg, LF Hennes, P Morrissey, DH Maliah Fligg, RF T.Walls, C Anderson (won’t bat).

Starters for Winterset (35-7): CF George, 2B Williams, SS Silliman, C Fritz, RF Benshoof, LF McDonald, 3B Brill, 1B K.Creger, DH Mortoza, P J.Creger (won’t bat).

Top 1st: Sexton strikes out looking. Akers fouls out to shortstop. M.Walls grounds out to short. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. CCA 0, Winterset 0.

Bottom 1st: George pops out to second. Williams strikes out swinging. Silliman grounds out to second. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. CCA 0, Winterset 0.

Top 2nd: Wnek singles to right. Mi.Fligg strikes out looking. Wnek caught stealing. Hennes grounds out to second. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB. CCA 0, Winterset 0.

Bottom 2nd: Fritz strikes out swinging. Benshoof pops out to second. McDonald reaches on an infield single. Brill singles to left. K.Creger grounds out to the pitcher. 0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB. CCA 0, Winterset 0.

Top 3rd: Morrissey flies out to second. Ma.Fligg grounds out to first. T.Walls grounds out to shortstop. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. CCA 0, Winterset 0.

Bottom 3rd: Mortoza flies out to right. George flies out to center. Williams pops out to third. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, LOB. CCA 0, Winterset 0.

Top 4th: Sexton grounds out to short. Akers singles to left, advances to second on an error. M.Walls reaches on fielder’s choice, Akers out, scored 5-4. Wnek grounds out to the pitcher. 0 runs, 1 hit, 1 error, 1 LOB. CCA 0, Winterset 0.

Bottom 4th: Silliman flies out to first. Fritz grounds out to third. Benshoof grounds out to short. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. CCA 0, Winterset 0.

Top 5th: Mi.Fligg walks. Downes pinch-runs for Mi.Fligg. Hennes grounds to third on SAC bunt, Downes to second. Morrissey ground to second, Downes to third. Ma.Fligg grounds out to third. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB. CCA 0, Winterset 0.

Bottom 5th: McDonald lines out to third. Brill lines out to short. K.Creger grounds out to the pitcher. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. CCA 0, Winterset 0.

Top 6th: Neely strikes out swinging. Sexton strikes out looking. Akers reaches on bunt single. M.Walls flies out to center. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB. CCA 0, Winterset 0.

Bottom 6th: Mortoza fouls out to third. George reaches on E-6. Williams grounds out to pitcher, SAC bunt, George to second. Silliman walks intentionally. Fritz flies out to right. 0 runs, 0 hits, 1 error, 2 LOB. CCA 0, Winterset 0.

Top 7th: Wnek grounds out to short. Mi.Fligg lines out to first. Hennes flies out to center. 0 runs, 0 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. CCA 0, Winterset 0.

Bottom 7th: Benshoof grounds out to pitcher. McDonald grounds out to first. Brill singles to center. Olson pinch-runs for Brill. K.Creger grounds out to short. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB. CCA 0, Winterset 0.

Top 8th: Morrissey reaches on infield single. McKinnon courtesy runs for Morrissey. Ma.Fligg grouns out to first, SAC bunt, McKinnon to second. T.Walls strikes out swinging. Sexton grounds out to third. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB. CCA 0, Winterset 0.

Bottom 8th: Mortoza strikes out swinging. George grounds out to the pitcher. Williams strikes out looking. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. CCA 0, Winterset 0.

Top 9th: Akers strikes out swinging. M.Walls lines out to first. Wnek flies out to right. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. CCA 0, Winterset 0.

Bottom 9th: Silliman walks. Fritz lines out to center. Benshoof flies out to right. Mohs grounds out to second. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB. CCA 0, Winterset 0.

Top 10th: Mi.Fligg strikes out swinging. Hennes flies out to short. Morrisey lines out to the pitcher. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. CCA 0, Winterset 0.

Bottom 10th: Brill pops out to short. K.Creger flies out to left. Mari Silliman pops out to the pitcher. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. CCA 0, Winterset 0.

Top 11th: Ma.Fligg reaches on E-5. T.Walls grounds out to the pitcher, SAC, McKinnon to second. Sexton reaches on E-6, McKinnon scores. Akers grounds out to the pitcher, Sexton to third. M.Walls strikes out swinging. 1 run, 0 hits, 2 errors, 1 LOB. CCA 1, Winterset 0.

Bottom 11th: George flies out to center. Williams strikes out swinging. Silliman flies out to catcher. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. CCA 1, Winterset 0. FINAL.