Fort Dodge baseball coach Matt Elsbecker knows that now is the time for his squad to start hitting their stride.

While the seventh-ranked (Class 4A) Dodgers aren't necessarily there quite yet, a non-conference victory against a solid Boone ballclub is certainly a step in the right direction.

Playing its first home contest in 11 days and coming off an eight-game road stretch, Fort Dodge (20-10 overall) rallied from an early four-run deficit against second-ranked (3A) Boone to squeak out a 6-4 victory at Ed McNeil Field here Tuesday.

The Dodgers used a five-run third to make an impressive comeback and build momentum heading into the home stretch of the year.

"Now is the time when we are really looking to start catching fire," said Elsbecker. "Beating a team ranked second in 3A is a great start to reaching that.

"We are an experienced team with a lot of potential, and we need to start to have the look of a serious contender. We didn't play our best, but it is a win we can build from."

Both teams didn't get on the scoreboard in the opening frame, but Boone (21-4) was able to strike first is a big way. The Toreadors tallied four runs in the second to take over the momentum.

With a bases-loaded situation, Ryan Titman singled to bring two runs across the plate. A fielding error by FDSH allowed Chris Ely to get on base and also put two more runs on the board.

"We made a couple of uncharacteristic mistakes, and Boone captialized because that's what good teams do," said Elsbecker. "They will make a lot of noise in the postseason."

After going three up, three down in the bottom of the second, Fort Dodge made a big run of its own to take charge.

A lead-off single by Eddy Diosdado got the third inning started for the Dodgers, and Tanner Beck was able to notch a single as well. University of Iowa recruit Ricky Sandquist reached first base on a fielding error, which brought home Diosdado.

Tim Kayser drove a ball hard in the infield and forced another Boone error, sending home Beck and Sandquist. A perfect bunt by Joe Hora notched another RBI.

A double by Andy Smith scored Hora and gave the Dodgers a 5-4 advantage they would never relinquish.

Sophomore hurler Brad Lombard (4-2) found his stride and put Boone away in three at-bats in the fourth and fifth innings. The Toreadors had two runners on in the sixth with two outs, but Beck turned a web gem for earn the final out of the frame.

Sophomore Mark Wilson was hit by a pitch to start the bottom of the sixth. Beck rose to the occasion again, driving in Wilson with a single for an insurance run.

"The night belongs to Tanner Beck. He really got the job done for us on offense and defense," said Elsbecker. "It was pretty big to go into the final inning with the score at 6-4 instead of 5-4."

Lombard earned the complete-game win on the mound, striking out seven. He surrendered only two earned runs.

"It would have been easy for Lombard to get frustrated after they scored early, because he was hitting marks the entire game," said. Elsbecker. "But, he kept his composure and gave us a strong showing."

Beck was 4-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI. Diosdado added two hits for the Dodgers and a run scored.

Fort Dodge has now won at least 20 games in each of the last five seasons, and the Dodgers are just five away from reaching the 25-victory plateau in every year during the same period of time.

FDSH will take the field next against Waukee at home on Thursday, beginning at 4 p.m.

Contact Brady Johnson at (515) 573-2141 or by e-mail at sports@messengernews.net