DES MOINES - Fort Dodge's dreams of hoisting a state championship baseball trophy begins in earnest here today.

Making their third state tournament appearance in the past five seasons, the No. 4, fifth-seeded Dodgers (28-12 overall) open their march against eighth-ranked, No. 4 seed West Des Moines Dowling (26-11) in a Class 4A quarterfinal.

First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. inside Principal Park.

"We need to come out with intensity and stay focused," FDSH head coach Matt Elsbecker said. "We've been ready for this opportunity for the last two years now.

"We're awfully excited and looking forward to the challenge."

After winning their first CIML Iowa Conference title earlier this season with a 15-5 mark, the Dodgers advanced to Des Moines by upending perennial power West Des Moines Valley, 10-6, in a substate final last week at Rogers Sports Complex.

"It would be nice to take that momentum and continue to run with it," said Elsbecker. "We understand it's a new day, though, and the momentum only lasts so long.

"We just have to be confident in our abilities and good things will happen."

The Dodgers - which reached the 2005 state quarterfinals before advancing to the semifinals in 2007 - dropped both road meetings with the Maroons during the regular season by scores of 6-5 and 14-4.

"(Dowling) is a very talented team," Elsbecker said. "Their pitcher (Jonathan) Musser and catcher (Spencer Navin) are excellent players.

"Their strength is obviously up the middle."

Musser (.434 BA, seven HR, 15 2B, 38 RBI, 43 hits), sophomores Dalton Parrott (.408, 17 2B, 20 SB, 38 runs, 42 hits), Jake Yacinich (.393, 42 hits), senior Josh Otten (.391, 15 2B, 31 runs, 32 RBI, 43 hits), Navin (.361, 13 HR, 32 runs, 35 hits, 41 RBI) and sophomore Eric Lee (.354, 14 SB, 34 hits) are the top threats in the Maroon lineup.

"They embarrassed us in their own backyard," said Elsbecker. "They're a really young team that will make a lot of noise in the future.

"It should be one heck of a game."

Musser (7-1; 54 IP, 30 H, 17 BB, 61 K, 1.04 ERA), Jason Schueman (5-1; 42 IP, 37 H, 18 BB, 19 K, 3.17 ERA) and Otten (4-2; 44 IP, 42 H, 11 BB, 36 K, 3.50 ERA) anchor the Dowling rotation.

"It would be big for us to score some runs early," Elsbecker said. "It's an intense seven-inning game, though, with 21 outs.

"We just have to stay relaxed and have some fun."

Fort Dodge's starting pitcher will be a game-time decision.

"We're going to warm (University of Iowa signee) Ricky (Sandquist) up, and he'll get the ball if he's feeling good," said Elsbecker. "We have a couple of sophomores (Will Kenny and Brad Lombard) and Jerry (Ellendson) that are capable of throwing, too.

"We're looking at four options right now."

The Maroons - who won a state crown in their last trip to state back in 2001 - produce 7.3 runs per contest. They downed Ottumwa by a 5-3 count in their substate final. Dowling split with 4A state entrant Johnston earlier this season.

This afternoon's winner will clash with either No. 1, top-seeded Sioux City North (33-7) or unranked, No. 8 seed Marshalltown (26-15) in the semifinals here Friday at 6 p.m.

Contact Josh Meyer at (515) 573-2141, or by e-mail at sports@messengernews.net