Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Kaden Pederson fields the ball for Fort Dodge against Carlisle on Tuesday at Rogers Park. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

With only a handful of games left to prepare for the postseason journey, the Fort Dodge softball team finds themselves still searching for answers.

The Dodgers dropped a 10-3 decision here Tuesday night at Rogers Park to ninth-ranked (Class 4A) Carlisle, falling to 17-17 on the season and 3-6 over their last nine games.

Behind the strength of sophomore Alyvia Dubois and freshman Meredith Hoffman, the Wildcats (19-12) scored in every inning but the second. Dubois, the younger sister of all-stater Taylor Dubois, was 4-for-4 with two doubles, three RBI and even drew a walk in five plate appearances.

Hoffman, a starter on the Carlisle basketball team this past winter who averaged 14 points a night, also had two hard-hit doubles with three RBI.

“That’s a very, very good hitting team,” FDSH head coach Andi Adams said. “I thought Bre (Tjebben) did a good job early on and she continued to hit her spots, but when she missed, they made her pay.

“Carlisle is always a patient squad at the plate, and this year is no different.”

For the Dodgers, Aubrey Davis, Mack Provin and Meagan Hartman all went 2-for-3, while Tjebben drove in a run and Maggie Harvey had a steal. Tjebben struck out four, but walked six over seven innings.

“We’re just having trouble taking what we do in practice to the diamond,” Adams said. “Now is the time we need to be getting better in all aspects of the game.

“Carlisle showed us plenty of areas where we can get better, and I believe these girls will do that.”

Agatha Beier, who will play basketball next year at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, was 3-for-4, while Ashliah Hyde scored four times running for her. Sophomore Hannah Schurz went 2-for-2 with two walks from the No. 9 spot in the order.

Fort Dodge led 3-2 after the second, but the Wildcats switched to their ace, Sara Scott, during the inning. Scott did not allow another run to be scored, surrendering just four hits.

Beier, Indian Hills signee Taylor Dubois and Alyvia Dubois were all starters last year for Carlisle, which went 38-7 and advanced to the 4A state title game before falling to Oskaloosa, 6-5.

Next action for the Dodgers is Wednesday night when they travel to No. 6 (5A) Urbandale for a doubleheader beginning at 6 p.m. FDSH hosts Ames on Friday for Senior Night.

CARLISLE 10, FORT DODGE 3

Carlisle 201 111 4 — 10 15 1

Fort Dodge 120 000 0 — 3 8 3

Molly Hoekstra (1ª IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 K, 1 BB), Sara Scott (W, 11-3, 5• IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 0 K, 0 BB) and Agatha Beier; Bre Tjebben (L, 7-7, 7 IP, 15 H, 5 ER, 4 K, 6 BB) and Maggie Harvey.

2B–C: Taylor Dubois, Alyvia Dubois (2), Meredith Hoffman (2), Hannah Schurz; FD: Loghen Schnetzer. RBI–C: Taylor Dubois, Agatha Beier, Alyvia Dubois (3), Meredith Hoffman (3); FD: Bre Tjebben. SB–C: Delaney Schnathorst, Kennedy Preston; FD: Maggie Harvey. LOB–C: 12; FD: 3.