Storm Lake Times Pilot

NEWELL-FONDA OPENS STATE WITH A WIN

Mustangs beat North Butler 2-0 in quarterfinals


Newell-Fonda’s Sophie Stewart tries to slide around the tag of North Butler’s Brooklyn Wix during their state tournament game on Monday in Fort Dodge. TIMES photos by JAMIE KNAPP

Executing its small ball, playing flawless defense and getting overpowering pitching has Newell-Fonda advancing to the state semifinals.

The top-ranked Mustangs used a pair of bunts to score two runs and then their pitching and defense took care of the rest as they defeated North Butler 2-0 in a Class 1A state quarterfinal game on Monday at Rogers Sports Complex.

Newell-Fonda, now 36-4, plays fifth-ranked Southeast Warren (29-2) in the semifinals today at 11 a.m.

Newell-Fonda’s Kierra Jungers delivers a pitch to the plate during Monday’s state quarterfinal game against North Butler. Jungers fired a two-hit shutout.

On a day when the Mustangs’ bats were not hot, North Butler’s were overmatched by pitcher Kierra Jungers. She allowed only two singles — one being controversial on a trapped ball in the outfield — walked three and struck out nine in seven innings.

“I really just stayed confident with my pitches and working around that tight strike zone was the big key for me,” Jungers said. “My fastball was working pretty good.”

Newell-Fonda scored its first run in the first inning. Bailey Sievers drew a leadoff walk, stole second base and went to third on a passed ball. She then scored when Macy Sievers executed a bunt.

Newell-Fonda had a runner thrown out at home on an infield single by Mia Walker in the second inning.

The Mustangs made it 2-0 in the fourth when Mary Walker was hit by a pitch, advanced to second on a groundout and later scored on a bunt by McKenna Sievers.

That was all Jungers needed as she was unhittable after the third inning.

“North Butler has some great hitters,” Newell-Fonda coach Courtney Darrow said. “I thought after the first inning and learning the strike zone Kierra settled in nicely. You couldn’t ask for a better outing from Kierra working all of her pitches and having a great defense behind her. When they’re playing at a top level on defense she knows that she’s got it.”

Newell-Fonda had only four hits in the game. Bailey Sievers, Ella Larsen, Mia Walker and Sophie Stewart each had a single.

Newell-Fonda did not commit an error in the game. North Butler made two.

“Our defense keeps me confident, but they’re always making those crazy plays like Ella with a diving catch, Mary with a diving catch, McKenna stopped the ball in the outfield. Those were all great plays that really boosts all our confidence.”

Newell-Fonda’s small ball and speed had a huge impact on the game.

“We scored our first run without a hit and we were able to use our speed in the small ball,” Darrow said. “North Butler knew that we were going to play the small ball, but we executed great with bunts to allow our runners to score.”

Newell-Fonda’s athleticism also played a large part in the game.

“We have a bunch of talent 1 through 9 and we have girls who are sitting on the bench who are athletic,” Darrow said. “When you have nine athletes on the field anything is possible. Sometimes they’re fighting over that ball because they want to go make that play. We made two great diving plays and I thought McKenna made a great catch too (umpires ruled it a trapped ball).”

Scoring early was huge for the Mustangs.

“Being No. 1, everyone’s going to be coming out you with some punches and I thought we did a great job the first inning scoring a run. That puts a lot of pressure on them to fight back. Then you’re able to scratch another run and that puts more pressure on them.”

Newell-Fonda’s Bailey Sievers attempts to steal second base as North Butler’s Kenzie Groen applies the tag during their state tournament game on Monday in Fort Dodge. Sievers was called out on the play.

Newell-Fonda’s Ella Larsen dives into third base as North Butler’s Emma Holm awaits the throw during their game in the state tournament on Monday.