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Dodgers plate 25 in win

MARSHALLTOWN — The Fort Dodge baseball team broke out of its offensive slump in a big way here on Monday, plating 25 runs in the first game of a CIML Iowa Conference split against Marshalltown.

The Dodgers, who had scored just 25 runs total in their last eight contests, racked up 24 hits in a 25-6 victory. It was the program’s best offensive output in the last 10 years; ironically, Fort Dodge (7-15 overall) defeated the Bobcats (10-13) by the exact same 25-6 score here in June of 2007.

The Dodgers almost completed the sweep with a big rally in the nightcap, but Marshalltown plated single runs in both the sixth and seventh innings to prevail, 7-6.

”It was great to see us get going right away offensively and build from it,” FDSH head coach Blake Utley said. ”We had six runs right away in the first and we kept the momentum going.

”We needed that; more often than not, we’ve been on the wrong end of things (at the plate) so far this season. I still think we’re a good offensive ballclub that can produce runs on a consistent basis. We did well with our bunting game and small ball, but we also had three home runs and a lot of doubles.”

Senior Keaton Jones went 4-for-5 with four runs scored, a home run and four RBI in the opener, while junior Tyrnan Lara also went deep and drove in three. Nate Scherff, Drake Miller, Bryer Nelson and Lucas Williamson added three hits each, with Williamson scoring three times, doubling twice and driving in four.

Miller also crossed the plate four times. Freshman Brycen Bell was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two driven in.

The Dodgers tallied six runs in the first, seven in the second, five in the fourth and seven in the fifth.

Trailing 5-2 in the nightcap, Fort Dodge put together a four-run sixth to jump ahead. Four errors in the field cost the Dodgers, though, who gave up six unearned runs.

Lara homered again and drove in two. Williamson was 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Nelson was 2-for-3 with a pair driven in.

”We’re getting there,” Utley said. ”The guys have been frustrated at times, but they’re improving. (A sweep) was in front of us and we had our chances, if we had executed better defensively (in game two).”

Fort Dodge is back in action on Wednesday, hosting No. 3 West Des Moines Dowling at McNeil Field. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.

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