CHARLES CITY - The on-field celebration was only the beginning for the Charles City softball team.

After the Comets clinched their spot in the Class 3A state tournament with a 5-0 win over Webster City Wednesday at Iowa Falls, they had little idea what was in store for them on the bus ride home.

"We had fire trucks and police cars waiting for us with the lights going, and all our parents were caravaning behind us," said junior Maddie Forsyth, whose grand slam provided the big hit in the win. "It was a great surprise."

The town of Charles City could be excused a little bit of extra hoopla for this group of Comets. Once a state tournament perennial, making 23 appearances under former head coach Jerry Newton, the Comets hadn't made the trip since 1999, and never under current coach Brian Bohlen.

The players were happy to rectify that situation.

"We're glad to take our coach there," said junior pitcher Leah Gelner, who tossed a regional final shutout. "He's worked hard with us, and he deserves it."

Bohlen deflected the credit to the work of his players, who turned around a program that is 26-10 after winning just seven games last year.

"This is the same core group that took their lumps last season, and it's all due to their dedication," Bohlen said. "Our pitchers put in a lot of time in the offseason, we've matured both defensively and offensively, and you can tell.

"These girls have worked hard to get where they're at."

The hard work will continue with the Comets' first-round draw, as they go up against top-ranked and undefeated Clear Creek Amana at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

"We know a few things about them, and obviously they've got to be a pretty solid team all the way around," Bohlen said. "Our players know going into every game that it's just another game. We'll play our game, play defense, hit our spots pitching and try to put the ball into play."

Charles City's game begins with balance. Pitchers Gelner and Breanna Hackman split time during the season and have compiled strikingly similar numbers. Gelner is 15-5 with a 1.51 earned-run average and 95 strikeouts, while Hackman, who will start against CCA, is 11-5 with a 1.34 ERA and 91 strikeouts.

"We're pretty equal," Gelner said. "It works because it gives us both time to rest up between starts."

The Comets are just as balanced at the plate. Lisa Berns (.395 average, 29 runs), Meredith Worrall (six home runs), Forsyth (36 RBIs) and Abby Platte (also 36 RBIs) each lead the team in at least one major offensive category.

Currently riding an eight-game win streak, Charles City helps itself with steady play in the field.

"We've got a solid catcher, a solid infield and probably one of the best centerfielders in the state," Bohlen said. "I've never seen a center fielder cover as much ground in high school as (sophomore Berns)."

Far from the Charles City teams that once took trips to state as an annual tradition, these Comets may well lead the tournament in fun.

"We're probably one of the loudest teams," Forsyth said. "We cheer from beginning to end to try to get into the pitcher's head and encourage each other. We're definitely going in with a positive attitude, and we expect to have a lot of fun."