Newell-Fonda's state softball title aspirations came to an end in the Class 1A quarterfinals here Monday at Rogers Sports Complex.
Making their sixth trip to Fort Dodge since 2005, the No. 4 Mustangs (34-8) suffered a 4-3 loss to 10th-ranked Charter Oak-Ute.
Ashley Goslar's one-out RBI single to right field in the top of the seventh supplied the decisive run for the Bobcats (28-12).
Article Photos
Messenger photo by Dale Wooten
Alyssa Henrich makes a catch for Newell-Fonda on Monday during the state softball tournament against Charter Oak-Ute at Rogers Park. For more photos, please visit CU at www.messengernews.net
With the win, CO-U avenged an early-season 10-1 loss to Newell-Fonda.
"I will never forget (the game-winning hit), that's for sure," said the sophomore No. 2 hitter and right fielder Goslar. "It was definitely pretty exciting and an amazing feeling, knowing I was the hero.
"I just want to go all the way (to the finals) now."
Fact Box
CHARTER OAK-UTE 4, NEWELL-FONDA 3
Charter Oak-Ute 001 110 1-4 5 2
Newell-Fonda 010 002 0-3 6 3
Katelyn Leisinger (5 1/3 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K), Tarin Clausen (W, 9-1; 1 2/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K) and Mariah Meseck; Jenna Falline (L, 24-5; 7 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K) and Hailey Falline.
2B-CO-U: Clausen; N-F: Brooke Hammen. HR-N-F: Falline. MH-CO-U: Ashley Goslar (2), Clausen (2); N-F: Renee Maneman (2), Falline (2). SH-CO-U: Ashley Ewoldt, N-F: Andrea Christensen. SB-N-F: Maneman. CS-N-F: Maneman, Jordan Wilken. LOB-CO-U: 6, N-F: 5.
Goslar went 2-for-4 with two runs driven in to spark the Bobcat offensive charge.
Senior Tarin Clausen also delivered a pair of hits for the visitors, while sophomore Mariah Meseck crossed the dish twice.
Clausen (9-1) picked up the victory in relief as well, allowing only one hit over 1 2/3 scoreless frames of work. She didn't walk a batter and fanned two.
Awaiting Charter Oak-Ute - which is making its fourth-ever state venture and first since 2006 - in the 1A semifinals Thursday at 11 a.m. on Diamond 1 is No. 3 Martensdale St. Mary's (39-2). The Blue Devils downed LeMars Gehlen by a 6-1 count in yesterday's other 1A quarterfinal.
"We knew our backs were against the wall going in, facing a quality Newell ballclub," CO-U head coach Jason Stoltzfus said, who previously guided Storm Lake to a seventh-place 3A state showing in 2007. "In the top of the seventh, I told our girls 'you've worked hard all year, now it's time to pull this out.'
"We set a goal of getting to state, and everything else is just gravy. It's all a matter of will and good team fundamentals from here on out."
Sophomore Renee Maneman and senior Jenna Falline each produced two hits for the Mustangs, who settled for runner-up honors in their two most recent state appearances (2009 and 2010). Falline actually knotted the contest with a two-run blast - her team-leading sixth of the year - to center in the sixth.
Newell-Fonda, which stranded five runners in scoring position and left the bases loaded in the sixth, also had the potential tying score thrown out on a caught stealing with one out in the bottom of the seventh.
"Games at state always come down to who makes the most plays," said N-F head coach Dick Jungers, who has also directed the Mustangs to four state bids on the hardwood. "We were probably one big hit short of having the momentum swing in our favor.
"Even though it won't be quite as fun not being able to play in the semifinals or finals, we're still here playing at state. It's a special time of the year, and we need to go out and make the most of this opportunity."
Next up for the Mustangs is a consolation semifinal clash with LeMars Gehlen (24-11) Wednesday at 10 a.m. on Yankee Diamond.