DELAINEY BARGFREDE OF WEBSTER CITY pitches against Clear Lake on Monday night. (DFJ photo by Jodie Casey)

Twenty-one outs.

In the landscape of high school softball, there can be a lot of action in between the first and the last. There are different types of batters, from slappers to sluggers, mixed in with aggressive base running and displays of pitching and fielding.

It’s not often where pitchers — even on the high school level — can carry 21 outs without giving up a single hit. Webster City junior hurler Delainey Bargfrede is no stranger to those feats, but her latest was quite impressive.

Bargfrede acquired her fourth career no-no, while the Webster City softball team was lifted to a 1-0 triumph over Clear Lake in a North Central Conference matchup held this past Monday at Lynx Field.

Bargfrede was also responsible for the game’s lone score, driving in teammate Addy Tesdahl in the bottom of the first inning. Following the initial frame, the game was scoreless until the final out was made.

The result came as a surprise to WCHS softball coach Brad VanDeer.

“This was not the type of game I was expecting, as Clear Lake has been very good offensively all season,” VanDeer said. “Our defense was outstanding, obviously, with Delainey throwing a no hitter, but everyone was involved in that. On a night when we were completely off balance at the plate, we dug in and found a way to grind one out. It was a good win and a nice way to start the week.”

With the victory, the Lynx had picked up their third win in four games, improving to 13-15 overall with a 9-3 record within the NCC. The Lions dipped down to 6-6 in league play and 10-12 overall.

At 7:30 p.m. tonight, the purple and gold will look to carry that momentum against fellow NCC opponent Iowa Falls-Alden, which will be held at the IF-A Softball Field in Iowa Falls. On Thursday, the Lynx will make the short trip north to play Eagle Grove at 7:30 p.m. at Greenwood Park.

In a complete game, Bargfrede fanned nine Lions, while Tesdahl recorded two base hits and a stolen base. The defense enjoyed one of its best outings of the summer, tallying its fourth shutout of the season.