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Dodgers get back to work on diamond

Messenger photo by Eric Pratt The Fort Dodge baseball team’s returning players are (left to right): Drew Callon, Drake Miller, Shane Greve, Keaton Jones, Collin Leonard, Tyrnan Lara, Bryer Nelson and A.J. Ruge.

Blake Utley will put a lot of new faces on the field for the Fort Dodge baseball team this season, but he believes this is a group that will quickly grasp the “Dodger Way.”

Fort Dodge returns two regulars to the infield and one outfielder, but Utley sees this as a young group that is hungry to get their feet wet.

“We have really good guys. There is something special about this group,” Utley said. “They’re buying into the culture and climate that we have here. Our senior class is pretty small (four) and we have a junior and sophomore class that is right on their heels.

“We’re going to be somewhat inexperienced out of the gates, but we have the will and skill to continue to improve.”

The Dodgers have a lot of holes to fill, as seven starters graduated from a squad that finished 20-23 and advanced to the Class 4A substate final.

Kole Kampen, who is now pitching for the University of Iowa, fought through injuries last season, but led the Dodgers in home runs (four) and was second in batting average at .347. Kampen, an all-stater, was also 2-1 on the mound with a 1.91 ERA and 34 strikeouts in limited action.

The Dodgers will also have to replace the majority of its infield, filling voids left by Johnny Bice (third base), Sam Kolacia (shortstop), Max Bodholdt (second base) and Cainen Hiracheta (catcher).

Kolacia, also an all-stater, was a fixture in the Dodger rotation, going 6-3 with a 3.50 ERA and 41 strikeouts.

“That (2016 senior) class was pretty special to us,” Utley said. “They were not only successful on the field in high school, but at the next level. Kole is pitching at Iowa, Max is playing at Iowa Central, Cainen is playing football at Morningside, and Jonny is playing football in Macalester College (in Minnesota). Sam could’ve played multiple sports at the next level.

“Those are hard guys to replace, when they have the ability to take their talents to the next level.”

Pitcher and infielder Carter Wingerson and outfielder Keaton Grove also graduated. Wingerson was 4-3 on the mound with a 2.35 ERA and 51 Ks.

The Dodgers return three players who saw action the vast majority of last summer’s action.

Sophomore Drake Miller (41 games) played left field for the Dodgers and was an all-CIML pick as a freshman. Senior Keaton Jones (33 games) saw the majority of his action at first base and designated hitter. Junior Tyrnan Lara (37 games) played all over the field.

“Drake, Keaton and Tyrnan are all solid guys. Keaton is coming back with the most experience and he’s a leader. He has shown up and is making sure the guys are doing it the right way,” Utley said. “Tyrnan has grown a lot and is a big strong kid.

“Drake plays beyond his years. When he steps to the plate, everyone stops to watch.”

Sophomores Bryer Nelson and Drew Callon saw limited varsity action as well for FDSH a year ago.

Pitching

Utley will have four veteran hurlers returning on the hill.

Callon, a talented left-hander, was 3-1 with a 2.43 ERA and 24 strikeouts. Junior Nate Scherff, who battled through injuries last season, will be at the top of the rotation.

“Drew will be one of our top guys. He pitched a lot at the end of last year,” Utley said. “Nate was hurt last season when we thought he could be a guy we’d count on.

“Both are competing at a high level.”

Lara was 0-4, but posted a respectable 3.47 ERA. Jones and Miller will also be on the bump when necessary, as will Nelson, sophomore Anthony Wagner and junior Kade Solverson.

Infield

The Dodgers have a few players back with experience around the horn. Jones started at first base last season, but will move to the hot corner. Lara takes over the starting duties at catcher for Hiracheta, a four-year starter.

Lara drove in nine runs and saw some action behind the plate last summer.

“Cainen did a lot with Tyrnan when he was here,” Utley said. “When we had Cainen pitch, Tyrnan would catch.

“Tyrnan will be hitting in the middle of our lineup. We expect big things from him this season. He has a lot of energy.”

Sophomore Lucas Williamson and freshman Shane Halligan will also see some time behind the plate. Solverson will take over the starting duties at first.

It will be a mix of three sophomores at second base, with Wagner, Mason Bodholdt and Nathan Blocker vying for time.

“Anthony has the upper-hand so far because of his bat,” Utley said. “We feel comfortable putting anyone out there defensively. It’s offense that will make players stand out.”

Nelson takes over at shortstop after seeing action in 17 games last season. The sophomore, still recovering from an ACL tear in football, was predominantly a courtesy and pinch runner last season.

“We had a talk and said, ‘this is where you’re sitting, but if you produce offensively, you’re going to force our hand and we’ll find a spot for you,” Utley said. “That would be a good thing. We’re very strong defensively, but we need to produce runs.”

Outfield

Miller returns as the Dodgers leading hitter. He hit .333 with 35 hits and in 19 RBI.

“Drake will be at the top of our lineup,” Utley said. “He is very patient at the plate; he knows how to pick out a pitch and drive it.”

Scherff and Callon will be in center, and Williamson will be in right. Senior Shane Greve will get some time in the outfield as well.

“We don’t have many returnees, but we have a good lineup,” Utley said. “You may not see the same lineup for quite a while, but we think we have a pretty good feel of what they can do and who they are.”

Schedule

Utley believes that the Dodgers may have one of the toughest schedules yet as he enters his fifth season at the helm.

“It’s non-stop,” said Utley, who holds a 92-70 record in his career. “We have to face Urbandale, Dowling, Johnston, Mason City and Marshalltown in our conference. Urbandale, Dowling and Johnston will likely be in the Top-10 to start the season, in my opinion. A schedule like this only prepares you for the postseason.

“Boone is the only non 4A school we face. Usually we play three or four 3A schools, but with the CIML taking up 32 games, we only have eight outside of the league. We love having the challenge, though — it prepares us for the end of the year.”

Assistants

Utley will be assisted by Aaron Miller at the varsity level, as well as Mike Richman — previously the head coach at Manson Northwest Webster.

Jerry Ellendson will be the junior varsity coach. Nick Vinson will be with the freshmen, and Cory Alexander is a volunteer assistant.

“Mike is a tremendous addition to our staff,” Utley said. “He has head varsity experience and the guys enjoy Mike and his high energy. He has been around the game along time and he is a perfect fit.

“I think we have one of the best coaching staffs around. Aaron, Jerry, Nick and Cory will also do a tremendous job, and I really appreciate their help with the kids.”

2017 FORT DODGE BASEBALL

ROSTER

Seniors – A.J. Ruge, Shane Greve, Collin Leonard, Keaton Jones.

Juniors — Tanner Dennis, Nate Scherff, Drew Zimmerman, Kade Solverson, Dakota Stenzel, Anthony Wagner, Brayden Birchall, Tyrnan Lara, Tyler Meriweather.

Sophomores – Nathan Blocker, Bryer Nelson, Lucas Williamson, Drew Callon, Mason Bodholdt, Drake Miller, Grant Barber.

Freshmen — Shane Halligan, Brycen Bell, Mason Bockoven.

SCHEDULE

May 22 — at Des Moines East; 26-27 — Fort Dodge Invitational; 30 — Marshalltown; 31 — Des Moines North.

June 5 — at Dowling; 7 — Mason City; 9 — at Sioux City North; 12 — at Urbandale; 14 — Johnston; 15 — Des Moines Roosevelt; 19 — at Marshalltown; 21 — Dowling; 22 — Ames; 24 — at tournament; 26 — at Mason City; 27 — at Boone; 28 — Urbandale; 29 — at Waterloo West.

July 3 — at Johnston; 5 — Ankeny; 7 — Sioux City East; 10 — at Ankeny Centennial.

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