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Dodgers again out to prove a point

Softball squad eyes third consecutive state tournament trip

Messenger photo by Eric Pratt The Fort Dodge softball team’s returning players are (left to right): Karlee Grove, Makayla Johnson, Katelyn Werning, Aubrey Davis, Daphne Alstott and Aleah Sherman. Back: Maggie Harvey, Loghen Schnetzer, Bre Tjebben, Kaden Pederson, Hailey Anderson, Mack Provin and Tehya Miller. Not pictured: Meagan Hartman and Molly Hartman.

In many ways, head coach Andi Adams will have a typical Fort Dodge softball team to work with this summer.

The Dodgers aren’t blessed with a great deal of depth. They don’t have many power hitters, and there isn’t an ace pitcher ready to dominate opposing lineups.

For as common as those hurdles seem to be annually in the Dodgers’ camp, Adams also has the vintage FDSH program intangibles on her side that she wouldn’t trade for anything: chemistry and heart.

”We’re not going to overwhelm anyone with the big bats or the big arms — not in the CIML,” said Adams, whose Dodgers will be seeking a third consecutive state tournament trip in July. ”But that’s not who we are. We’re going to work hard defensively, get on base, and be aggressive. Our game is speed and putting pressure on opposing defenses. That’s just the way we’re built.

”Above all else, though, this team will work relentlessly for each other and for the program. They love being Fort Dodge softball players. Caring for and about their teammates and being on the same page isn’t just important here — it’s critical. We’re limited with numbers and flexibility, but we don’t have to be limited when it comes to support, leadership and camaraderie.”

Adams is beginning her 17th season at the FDSH helm. Under her direction, the Dodgers have gone 517-233 overall, with eight state appearances in the last 15 years.

Seven starters are back from a squad that stunned defending Class 5A champion Waukee and blanked Sioux City East in the regional tournament last summer to reach the quarterfinal round with a 28-14 record. There are no guarantees for an encore, of course, but Adams is again perfectly content with being the little engine that could in a lot filled with CIML muscle cars.

Infield

Adams likes what she is seeing around the horn in the early going. All-state catcher Maggie Harvey returns as a co-captain for her senior season, as does fellow all-state honoree Daphne Alstott. The sophomore lead-off hitter is making the move from third base to shortstop.

Harvey, a Minnesota State University recruit, hit .391 with a team-best 12 home runs, 51 RBI and a .728 slugging percentage last year. Alstott set an FDSH school record with 47 stolen bases in 2016, while collecting a team-high 64 hits and 45 runs scored.

Junior Bre Tjebben and senior Meagan Hartman — like Harvey and Alstott, both unanimous first team all-conference players last summer — are also back, and will both pitch and play in the infield as co-captains. Tjebben, who batted .302 with 15 doubles and 21 RBI despite dealing with back issues all season long, will start at third base when the ball isn’t in her hands. Hartman, who hit .313 with three homers and 27 runs driven in as a junior, is a first baseman and designated player.

Senior Mack Provin, a second team all-league pick, will also play first and catcher if need be after a productive .352/4/30 effort offensively a year ago.

”Maggie, Daphne, Bre, Meagan and Mack are all back with a lot of knowledge and experience,” Adams said. ”We’re very fortunate to build around that core. Maggie is really driven to make the most of her senior year as a difference-maker, as is Meagan. Daphne exploded onto the scene as an elite base stealer during (her freshman campaign). Bre is healthier and looking better than ever. She is very vocal and mature; she just gets it. Mack is showing a lot of potential at first base, and we know what we get with her bat.

”I trust all of them, not just to be leaders on the field, but in making sure things get taken care of (in practice, in the dugout and away from the action). There are a lot of games and a lot of years between the five of them. They know what to expect not just from me and the coaches, but each other.”

Sophomore Aubrey Davis takes over at second base for graduated captain and five-year starter Madi Bennett, who is now playing for Simpson College. Freshman Loghen Schnetzer will see time at both second base and third, depending on the circumstances.

”We’ll definitely miss Madi, who was in a lot of ways the glue to the program for the last five seasons,” Adams said. ”What I’ve seen so far in her absence, though, is players recognizing that and stepping up — both in the effort they’re giving and the way they’re communicating. I think a lot of them realize there is a void that needs to be filled.”

Outfield

Adams is mixing and matching with her three outfield positions, admitting ”we’re still a work in progress of sorts” until the season gets under way on Monday at Des Moines East. Sophomore Tehya Miller saw extensive action in 2016 and will be in right field. Juniors Kaden Pederson and Hailey Anderson are in left and center, respectively.

”We’ll get there with these three,” Adams said. ”Tehya, Kaden and Hailey will not only make it work, but embrace their roles and get the job done the right way. They want to prove themselves, and we all believe in them.

”Tehya and Kaden both started and were (honorable mention all-division picks) last season. ”

Sophomore Karlee Grove and junior Makayla Johnson will also push for outfield time. Grove is a ”phenomenal baserunner for us, and with the way we play, that’s huge,” Adams added. Grove scored 37 runs as a courtesy runner a year ago.

Pitching Staff

Tjebben and Hartman combined to work all 285 innings of the Dodgers’ 2016 state campaign. Tjebben, the daughter of former FDSH all-state pitching standout and Hall of Famer Bo Tjebben, shut out both Waukee and Sioux City East in regional action from the circle.

Tjebben was 17-9 with a 2.94 earned run average as a sophomore in 155 innings. Hartman’s numbers were similar, as she went 11-8 with a 3.12 ERA in 130 innings of work.

”Bre and Meagan both look really good,” Adams said. ”They aren’t necessarily going to strike out a ton of batters, but they’re confident in themselves and in the defense behind them.

”It’s nice to have that kind of veteran leadership holding the ball in their hands (for doubleheaders and in tournaments).”

Freshman Katelyn Werning is the third listed pitcher behind Tjebben and Hartman.

Conference and Coaches

Fort Dodge again shifts into a different CIML alignment this year, joining defending state champion Johnston, West Des Moines Dowling, Urbandale, Marshalltown and Mason City in the Iowa Conference.

”That pretty much speaks for itself,” Adams said. ”Johnston has basically been the top program in the entire state recently. Dowling is Dowling. I expect Urbandale to be ranked. And Marshalltown is on its way back.

”We’ll see plenty of talented programs in our cross-conference games, but top to bottom, it will be tough to rival our own (league slate). We face Johnston, Dowling and Urbandale a combined 12 times.”

Adams has never shied away from the challenge of a rugged schedule.

”I wouldn’t have it any other way,” said Adams, who is 570-266 overall as a head coach. ”I’m not as concerned as much with wins and losses during the regular season. If it’s making us better and we’re improving because we see the very best on a daily basis, I’d rather sacrifice (a glossy record) for a battle-tested group that is ready come tournament time.”

Adams will again be assisted by former Drake University standout Jaci Schreiber. Emily Grell is the freshman coach. Her volunteer assistants are Bo Tjebben and newcomer Lexi Slater — one of the most decorated softball talents in Iowa State University history. Slater is the Cyclones’ career leader in doubles, while finishing near the top in home runs, RBI, runs, hits, at-bats, assists, starts and overall games played.

”I can’t tell you how fortunate I am,” Adams said. ”Jaci’s attitude, knowledge and demeanor is exactly what I need. Bo and Emily have been around our program for a long time, and they know what we expect and what works. Bo’s track record (as a former pitcher) speaks for itself.

”Lexi is just an amazing addition (to the staff). She’s made such a difference already. We are all incredibly lucky to have her on board. I’m not so ego-centric that I feel like I have to have my hands on everything. If one of my assistants sees something or needs to fix something, they can and will. I trust them completely. This isn’t about me. It’s about us.”

ROSTER

Seniors — Maggie Harvey, Meagan Hartman, Mack Provin, Aleah Sherman.

Juniors — Bre Tjebben, Kaden Pederson, Hailey Anderson, Makayla Johnson.

Sophomores — Daphne Alstott, Tehya Miller, Aubrey Davis, Karlee Grove, Molly Hartman.

Freshmen — Loghen Schnetzer, Katelyn Werning.

SCHEDULE

May 22 — at Des Moines East; 26 — Des Moines Roosevelt; 27 — at Sioux City Heelan Invitational; 30 — Marshalltown.

June 3 — at West Des Moines Valley Shootout; 5 — at West Des Moines Dowling; 7 — Mason City; 8 — at Clarke; 12 — Urbandale; 14 — Johnston; 16-17 — Fort Dodge Invitational; 19 — at Marshalltown; 21 — West Des Moines Dowling; 23-24 — at Linn-Mar Tournament; 26 — at Mason City; 27 — Carlisle; 28 — at Urbandale; 30 — Ames.

July 3 — at Johnston.

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