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HIGH ENERGY

No. 1 Newell-Fonda blanks North Butler

Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Newell-Fonda celebrates its victory over North Butler in a Class 1A state semifinal on Monday at Rogers Park. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

Newell-Fonda’s ability to adjust on the go has them one step closer to winning the “third season.”

The top-seeded Mustangs (36-4 overall) used their speed and a dominant pitching performance from freshman Kierra Jungers to knock off North Butler 2-0 in a 1A state quarterfinal at Rogers Park on Monday.

“We break it down to three seasons: regular season, regionals and the state tournament,” said N-F head coach Courtney Darrow. “We are on the third part of the journey, and after getting past the first round, we just have to finish strong.”

The Mustangs now face fourth-seed Southeast Warren (29-2) on Wednesday on Kruger Seed Field (Diamond 1). First pitch is set for 11 a.m.

Coming into the state tournament, the Mustangs were second in Class 1A in triples (15), total bases (520), fifth in doubles (67) and seventh in slugging percentage (.503).

Against North Butler pitcher Kiya Johnson, the Mustangs had to alter their approach some and find a different way to produce runs.

“I give a lot of control to the girls,” said Darrow, a 2008 Fort Dodge Senior High graduate and former Dodger standout softball player. “They know how to read the defense and take what is given to them.

“If the bunt is there, the girls are able to come up with the big play. That’s what helped us (Monday).”

Jungers (27-3) allowed only two hits while striking out nine and walking three.

“Coming in, we just wanted to go after it and use our speed,” Jungers said. “With our speed, we don’t have to necessarily win games with the bat. We can do it on the bases.”

Jungers, who now has 251 strikeouts on the season, didn’t allow a hit after the third inning, and at one point retired nine straight batters.

“It feels really good to win the first game, and it’s encouraging heading into the semifinals,” Jungers said. “We are aware of how strong the field is, but we just have to keep playing strong.”

The Mustangs, who are playing in the state tournament for the 13th time in the past 16 seasons and fourth straight summer, got on the board early to take some pressure off of Jungers.

Bailey Sievers reached to open the contest, stealing second base and advancing to third on a passed ball. Macy Sievers laid down a sac bunt to score the first run.

The Mustangs’ second run came in the fourth when McKenna Sievers had a sac bunt to plate Mary Walker.

Bailey Sievers, Ella Larsen, Sophie Stewart and Mia Walker all had hits for Newell-Fonda

Behind Jungers, the Mustang defense was stellar. N-F came up with a key strikeout-throw out double play at second base to end a Bearcat threat in the third.

Larsen had a diving play as well to squash a scoring try by North Butler.

Larsen, who has been a part of the last four state qualifying teams, was glad to see her squad advance for the first time since 2019.

As the second seed a year ago, the Mustangs were upset by No. 7 seed Lisbon.

“It’s great to be able to get the first win,” Larsen said. “We know teams are looking to beat us, so we have to come out and play strong.”

NEWELL-FONDA 2, NORTH BUTLER 0

North Butler 000 000 0 — 0 2 2

Newell-Fonda 100 100 x — 2 4 0

WP–Kierra Jungers (27-3), 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 9 SO; LP–Kya Johnson (20-4), 6 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO; LOB–North Butler 4, Newell-Fonda 5; HBP–N-F: Mary Walker; SACB–N-F: McKenna Sievers (2), Macy Sievers; SB–N-F: Ella Larsen, Bailey Sievers, Anna Bellcock; RBI–N-F: Macy Sievers, McKenna Sievers.

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