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HEX ERADICATED

Nightcap win first for Dodgers over Dragons since ’06

Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Fort Dodge's Tristin Doster connects for a three-run homer in the first inning against Johnston on Monday at Rogers Park. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

Andi Adams understands just how intimidating it can be to stand across the softball diamond looking at a program like Johnston.

The sixth-ranked (Class 5A) Dragons boast a roster of 29 and have qualified for each of the past five state tournaments, making four title games during that span. They had also won every meeting with Adams’ Fort Dodge club since 2006 — until Monday night.

After dropping a 4-1 decision in the opener, the No. 7 Dodgers picked up a convincing 8-2 triumph in the nightcap for their first victory over Johnston in 15 tries.

Eighth-grader Jalen Adams tossed a three-hitter, striking out five with two hits and an RBI at the plate. Tristin Doster launched a first inning three-run homer and Bre Tjebben had two hits for Fort Dodge (33-7 overall, 14-6 in CIML Iowa Conference).

“That can be a very scary thing, looking over and seeing so many players in the opposing dugout,” Adams said. “But I’ve said it countless times this season: I would take this team over anybody. They love the game and they love playing for each other.

“I respect Johnston and head coach Todd Merical for what they have accomplished over the years. They do it the right way, so to get a win like we did, that is a big moment for us.”

The Dragons (24-8, 14-4) remain atop the conference standings with a doubleheader scheduled for Tuesday night vs. No. 10 Urbandale. Emily Flint earned the win for Johnston, striking out nine, as Sydney Illg hit a two-run homer.

Following the loss, Adams sat her team down and explained exactly what needed to happen to reverse the outcome.

“We didn’t play our game in the opener,” Adams said. “We didn’t get on base and we didn’t cause problems. When we don’t do those little things, it’s tough, especially against a team like Johnston.

“In the (second game), we really got after it. Everybody was fired up and that just continued all the way through. I was happy we scored eight runs early, but as we’ve found out this year, no lead is ever truly safe. We had to shut the door.”

Doster cleared the fences for her team-leading seventh homer of the season in the first, with the Dodgers plating five runs on six hits in the second to chase Hannah Hughes.

Daphne Alstott, who extended her hit streak to 15 games, had three hits, two runs and two steals on the night. Loghen Schnetzer recorded a two-run single and Kaden Pederson chipped in two hits and drove in a run.

Johnston finally got on the board in the seventh, spoiling what was a one-hitter for Adams as Alisha Rusch hit a two-run homer.

“I know it was a big night for our offense in the second game, but our defense played great,” Adams said. “Daphne was making big plays at third, our infielders were all over the place, and our outfielders were tracking everything down.”

Fort Dodge is off until Saturday, when it hosts either Sioux City North or Sioux City West in a regional opener back at Rogers Park, where the Dodgers are 14-2 this year.

JOHNSTON 4, FORT DODGE 1

Johnston 000 020 2 — 4 9 1

Fort Dodge 100 000 0 — 1 4 1

WP–Emily Flint (11-4, 7 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 9 K, 1 BB). LP–Bre Tjebben (7-2, 7 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 0 K, 0 BB). HR–J: Sydney Illg. 2B–J: Sydney Illg, Emma Ford, Sophie Maras. RBI–J: Sydney Illg (2), Emma Ford (2); FD: Bre Tjebben. SB–FD: Daphne Alstott (2), Kaden Pederson, Tory Bennett.

FORT DODGE 8, JOHNSTON 2

Johnston 000 000 2 — 2 3 3

Fort Dodge 350 000 x — 8 10 1

WP–Jalen Adams (17-3, 7 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 5 K, 3 BB). LP–Hannah Hughes (8-3, 1ª IP, 9 H, 7 ER, 0 K, 0 BB). HR–J: Alisha Rusch; FD: Tristin Doster. RBI–J: Alisha Rusch (2); FD: Tristin Doster (3), Jalen Adams, Loghen Schnetzer (2), Kaden Pederson. SB–J: Taylor Canny.

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