Adams, 18, a FDSH senior, throws hard. Her fastest in-game pitch was clocked at 66 mph. That’s why the school’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee hosted a “Holiday Hit-thon,” where a select group of staff and students went to bat against the soon-to-be Iowa Hawkeye softball player.

Hits were few and far between as Adams mowed through the lineup. Myers, 14, a freshman, served as Adams’ catcher. She was up to the challenge.

“It’s alright,” Myers said when asked what it was like to catch an Adams fastball.

Students were able to watch the athletic display if they donated a nonperishable food item to the school’s food pantry. Local businesses have agreed to match food pantry donations for the pantries in the community.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Mariah Myers, 14, a freshman at Fort Dodge Senior High, puts on her catching gear as she prepared to catch for Jalen Adams, 18, a senior. Myers has caught for multiple traveling teams and said was confident to catch for Adams, a future Iowa Hawkeye softball pitcher.

Dozens of students filled the stands, an indication that the community’s food pantries will be better off for the holidays.

“It’s a fun way to fuel our food pantry,” said Jennifer Lane, spokeswoman for the Fort Dodge Community School District.

Connor Carver, 16, a junior, was one of the batters brave enough to step in the box and face Adams.

But Adams, a state champion, didn’t just throw straight heat. She mixed it up.

“The first one was a changeup,” Carver said. “Second one was super fast. I got a piece of the fastball.”

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Bre Drees, Fort Dodge Senior High athletic trainer, is all smiles as prepared to step in the box against Jalen Adams, 18, a senior, during a special "Holiday Hit-a-thon" Friday at the school. Students could watch Adams pitch if they brought in a nonperishable food item for the school's food pantry. Drees would eventually make contact off of Adams during the event.

Carver walked away with a smile on his face even though he struck out.

Kadin Nekvinda, 16, a junior, did what he could. But Adams, the daughter of Dodger softball head coach Andi Adams, was too much.

“She can throw real fast,” Nekvinda said. “It’s terrifying.”

Bre Drees, the school’s athletic trainer, struck out her first time up.

She would later connect on a pitch near the end of the showing.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Cael Mason, 17, a senior at Fort Dodge Senior High, loads up to take a swing against Jalen Adams, 18, a senior, during the "Holiday Hit-a-thon" Friday at the school.

Some are still debating whether it would have been good for a base hit or if it would have been just another ground ball out.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Kadin Nekvinda, 16, a junior at Fort Dodge Senior High, watches a pitch from Jalen Adams come across the plate Friday at the school. Nekvinda later described standing in the box against Adams as "terrifying." Adams, 18, a senior, is going on to pitch for the Iowa Hawkeyes after her graduation.