NORTH ROBINSON — A pair of big innings pushed Clear Fork on in the postseason and sent Colonel Crawford home in varsity softball action. The Colts used a five-run third inning and four-run sixth inning to blow past the Eagles, 12-5.

Clear Fork’s Melodie Blubaugh had a day at the plate to remember. Blubaugh went 4-for-4 as the lead-off hitter and recorded two double and a triple. Additionally, Blubaugh drove in two runs and scored three herself. The Colts turned 11 hits in total into 12 runs.

Blubaugh got the scoring started in the top half of the first when she raced home on a passed ball. Wild pitches, passed balls, and errors were detrimental to the Eagles on Friday. Pitcher Aubrey Zizzo surrendered nine earned runs for Colonel Crawford (14-10) and walked four batters while striking out six.

Colonel Crawford answered the Colts (15-8) in its first chance at the plate. Allison Weithman found home plate on an error after Rylie Hoepf reached safely. Madison Gray drove in Zizzo on a fielder’s choice to give the Eagles the early lead.

Flash forward to the top of the third, Clear Fork hit the ground running. Blubaugh knocked a double, then Macy Ousley moved her to third on a single that was very controversial. A bunt attempt appeared to hit the batter in the box then go foul, but it was ruled a fair ball by both umpires.

Katrina Rodgers brought them both in with a triple to the right field fence. Rodgers recorded three hits on the evening. Rogers was plated on a fly ball error to make it 4-2, then another run crossed on back-to-back errors. Andrea Swainhart grounded out, but another run crossed on the play.

Colonel Crawford looked to have found some momentum in the bottom of the third inning after a walk, hit by pitch, and a single. But then Riley Hoepf was ruled out on a runner interference after plowing over the second baseman.

The action continued in the sixth inning, where Clear Fork was able to gain a bigger margin on Colonel Crawford. Briana Patterson slapped a one-out triple, then scored on Blubaugh’s bunt single. Rogers singled to bring in Blubaugh, making it 8-2. Ousley and Rodgers both scored on wild pitches to push the lead to 10-2 before Zizzo got out of the inning with a strikeout.

In the bottom half of the sixth inning, Zizzo drove in a run with a single then Hannah Allen did the same. The game went to the final inning with Colonel Crawford trailing, 10-4.

After a pair of walks and a single to start the top of the seventh, Blubaugh reached base for the fifth time on a bases-loaded walk. Rodgers recorded her fourth run batted in with another single with two outs.

The Eagles had some momentum in the bottom of the seventh thanks to two walks and a single. Madison Cobb scored on a wild pitch but Zizzo lined into a double play to end the ball game.

Pacey Chrastina was the winning pitcher for Clear Fork, giving up three earned runs in six and a third innings of work. Chrastina struck out four and gave up six walks. Rogers recorded the final two outs in the circle.

Harley Thomas stood out for the Eagles at the plate with a pair of hits, and Karlee Shull added one as well.

With the win, Clear Fork moves on to play Margaretta (17-8) today at Shelby High School. The district semifinal matchup is set to begin at 6 p.m. The Polar Bears defeated Wynford 10-3 to advance.