Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Daphne Alstott of Fort Dodge makes a play at Rogers Park last season.

Daphne Alstott’s senior year is shaping up to be a memorable one for the third-ranked Fort Dodge softball team.

Alstott has gone through a lot of changes in her final season on the diamond, but she’s making the most of her final opportunity as a multi-time all-stater.

“Being a Dodger is something I take a lot of pride in,” Alstott said. “I enjoy representing Fort Dodge, whether it be in the community or on the field.

“And the support I have received has been incredible.”

Alstott is making the transition from the infield (third base) to the outfield (center field) for the Dodgers in 2019. Even though the change has been difficult, the Nordman Award winner doesn’t regret the move.

“When I first started outfield, I was terrible,”Alstott said. “I would miss balls that came right to me. It was embarrassing. But now I laugh about it, because I can actually catch pop flies now.

“I like it and I’m glad I could switch to help my team.”

All of the DMACC recruit’s tensions have also been eased by having her sister, Kenzie, by her side. Alstott is an assistant coach.

“I love having her (Kenzie) as my coach,” Alstott said. “She is my best friend and is basically my twin. “She knows exactly what to say and how to make me smile.”

Alstott broke into the Dodger lineup as an eighth grader, and by her a freshman campaign, she was an all-state honorable mention selection.

In Fort Dodge’s state tournament run a year ago, Alstott was second team all-state and made the all-tournament team. As a junior, she was fifth in Class 5A with 72 hits, while batting .471. She was also third in 5A with 153 at bats. She drove in 38 runs and stole 20 bases.

In her final campaign so far, Alstott has 27 hits, 16 RBI, 15 stolen bases and is batting .409. She has 114 career stolen bases, which ranks among the Top-5 in program history.

As she nears completiton of her final high school season, Alstott wants younger athletes to trust the process and treat their careers as a marathon.

“I would tell them to focus on believing in themselves,” Alstott said, “and to not get down on themselves for being (less than perfect) because every athlete makes mistakes.”

Daphne will follow in Kenzie’s footsteps and continue her education and softball career for the Bears at DMACC, a national junior college powerhouse.