Zero point zero zero.

That was Courtney Strang's earned run average at the Class 2A state softball tournament last year. Just an eighth-grader, Strang pitched three shutouts and was chosen as captain for the all-tournament team after leading Solon to its first state softball title.

Well, she's back along with the rest of the Spartans. A year older, with a 0.45 ERA and a 36-5 record in tow, Strang and Solon (44-7) begin defense of the title against West Lyon (14-13) tonight in Fort Dodge.

Solon vs. West Lyon • When, where: 7:30 p.m. today in Fort Dodge. • Records, rankings: Top-ranked Solon is 44-7. West Lyon is 14-13 and unranked. • Summary: The Wildcats should enjoy the banner they got for qualifying for the state tournament. Solon has not lost to a 2A team all season, and appears to have West Lyon overmatched. Solon's main problem could be focus, since a semifinal matchup with conference foe Clear Creek Amana seems likely. • Leaders: SOLON Courtney Strang 36-5, 0.45 ERA, 309 K, 73 BB. Quinn Morelock .401, 13 2B, 14 HR, 49 RBIs, 20 SB. Jenny Schuelke .430, 19 2B, 9 HR, 34 RBIs. Lindsey Kidwell .354, 20 2B, 4 HR, 34 RBIs. Kelsey Kidwell .372, 15 SB. WEST LYON Kali Kerkvliet 13-10, 1.85 ERA, 120 K, 53 BB. Brittany Sehr .372, 8 2B, 19 RBIs. Becky Kippley .321, 9 2B, 13 RBIs. Tarra Gacke .310, 24 RBIs N Quote: "Lindsey (Kidwell) has been a catalyst with her bat. Anytime we need a hit, she's delivered," said John Begley, Solon coach.

"(Three shutouts) was something I think will never be topped ever again," Strang said. "It was amazing."

It may be hard for Strang to outdo her first trip to Fort Dodge. She pitched back-to-back one-hitters, struck out 15 and had only two walks on the way to a title.

"She rises to the occasion," Solon coach John Begley said. "When there's a big game, she's pitching her best. She's a special girl."

Begley said the freshman is more confident than she was a year ago, and it shows on the mound.

"Speed-wise I'm faster, and I have more pitches to choose from," Strang said. "And I have a year of experience. I know more about pitching."

Playing at the same time as Solon, one field over, the Clear Creek Amana Clippers (42-9) take on Eagle Grove (19-16).

And their pitching isn't exactly chopped liver.

Seniors Shallyn Duffy and Sam Sheeley both have great ERAs. Duffy is 26-3 with a 0.63 ERA, and Sheeley is 0.65 with an 11-6 record.

CCA coach Jim White thought Sheeley might start against Eagle Grove, but he said he was determined to use both pitchers at state.

"The nice thing is they are two completely different pitchers," White said. "Shallyn throws a dropball and Sam throws a riseball. The other team has to make adjustments."

Because CCA fell short of state last year - its only early vacation in the last nine years - neither pitcher has experience at Fort Dodge. Only senior shortstop Laura Wright and senior catcher Molly Ruth were starters for CCA back in 2002 when the Clippers won the 2A title.

CCA vs. Eagle Grove • When, where: 7:30 p.m. today in Fort Dodge. • Records, rankings: CCA is 42-9 and 4th in 2A. Eagle Grove is 19-16 and unranked. • Summary: Eagle Grove is a surprise entrant in the 2A field, having started district play with a 15-16 record. Eagle Grove faces a Clipper team still maybe a little steamed at not earning an eight straight state trip last year. On paper, the Clippers are clearly the superior team. • Leaders: CLEAR CREEK AMANA Shallyn Duffy 26-3, 0.63 ERA, 188 K, 31 BB. Laura Wright .528, 18 2B, 58 RBI, 26 SB. Taylor Leichsenring .472, 40 SB. Kelsey Kahler .459, 26 2B, 40 RBI, 43 SB. EAGLE GROVE Shari Bachtel 13-12, 1.75 ERA, 159 K, 88 BB. Lindsey Shriver .465, 10 2B, 19 SB. Monica Lindstrom .330, 20 RBI, 20 SB. • Quote: "We expect a one-run game with whoever we play. You have to expect that." Jim White, CCA coach.

"It has me worried," White said of the one-year layoff. "The first year we came up here (1996) we didn't handle it well. Some kids rise to the occasion, others don't handle it as well as they should."

Both Solon and CCA face off against unranked foes that began district play with more losses than wins. On paper, both games are mismatches.

"It's state softball; anything can happen," Solon junior Quinn Morelock said. "We don't want to get knocked off by a team that isn't supposed to beat you."

If the Spartans and Clippers win, they would meet at 5 p.m. Thursday in an Eastern Iowa Hawkeye Conference showdown. In league action, Solon swept CCA 1-0 and 16-4.

The Clippers were also the team the Spartans bumped aside in regional play on their way to a title in 2003.

"I do worry about the kids looking ahead," White said. "We haven't even mentioned it. We're just looking at Eagle Grove."

The Spartans are ready for a rematch, but wish it were one game later.

"It's kind of cool we're both there," Morelock said. "They know us and we know them. It's too bad it has to be the second round, instead of the championship."