Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Kylie Robinson of Newell-Fonda lays down a bunt against Lisbon during the Class 1A third-place game on Thursday at Rogers Park. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

In her first season as Newell-Fonda head coach, Courtney Darrow couldn’t have been more proud of her softball team.

The fourth-ranked Mustangs (38-7 overall) finished fourth in Class 1A, suffering a loss to second-ranked Lisbon (34-7) by a 4-2 count on Thursday night.

In her opening act as coach, Darrow — a Fort Dodge Senior High graduate and former Dodger standout player — spearheaded the Mustangs to an unbeaten Twin Lakes Conference schedule and back to the state tournament.

“I’m very proud of this team and how much grit they showed all season,” said Darrow, whose maiden name is Courtney Vaughn. “We didn’t reach our last goal, but we have a lot to be proud of with an undefeated conference schedule and being fourth in the state.

“These girls are workhorses and will be going after it even harder in the offseason to get back in this position to reach our last goal.”

Newell-Fonda took an early 2-0 lead on Thursday, scoring two runs in the third inning. Lisbon answered with four in the third and two more in the fifth, though.

Seniors Olivia Larsen and Emma Stewart, along with sophomore Bailey Sievers, all had hits. Stewart had an RBI.

Larsen, Stewart, Anna Tiefenthaler and Camryn Wilken played their final game for the Mustangs.

Sisters Olivia and Ella Larsen were named to the all-tournament team.

“Our four seniors — Olivia, Emma, Cam, and Anna — have been tremendous leaders and will truly be missed,” Darrow said. “Ella and Olivia have been solid all year and that continued this week. They are very deserving of that award for all their hard work they have put into the season.

“The girls made our community extremely proud this week. They have given all those little girls in the stands something to dream and work for to be like them one day.”

Sam Schrantz had two hits for the Lions, while Stacia Hall and McKenna Nelson drove in two runs each.

LISBON 6, NEWELL-FONDA 2

Newell-Fonda 002 000 –2 3 4

Lisbon 004 02x — 6 7 4

WP–Skylar Sadler (5IP, 3H, 1ER, 5BB, 6SO); LP–Ella Larsen (5IP, 7H, 1ER, 2BB, 3SO); LOB–Newell-Fonda 7, Lisbon 6; 2B–L: McKenna Nelson; SACB–NF: Megan Morenz, Kylie Robinson; L: Stacia Hall, Skylar Sadler; SB–NF: Ella Larsen, Olivia Larsen, Anna Tiefenthaler; L: Grace Clark.