—Messenger photo by Eric Pratt A SIDEWALK CHALK TRIBUTE to Ashlyn Clark of Humboldt is displayed at Rogers Park on Monday.

Drew Callon has been on the wrong end of too many low-scoring games to count over the course of his career.

His Fort Dodge baseball teammates had his back and then some against Marshalltown on Monday.

The Dodgers erupted for seven runs in the first inning and six more in the second to crush the Bobcats in the opener of a CIML Iowa Conference doubleheader, 14-1. Marshalltown avoided the sweep, though, by edging FDSH in the nightcap, 2-1.

Callon, a senior left-hander, entered yesterday’s start with a 1-1 record despite a minuscule earned run average. The story was very similar a year ago, when the Upper Iowa University recruit — typically paired up against the opponent’s ace — went just 2-5 despite sporting a respectable ERA.

Fort Dodge (6-7 overall, 1-3 in the CIML Iowa Conference) reversed the trend and had a hit parade to support Callon against the Bobcats (9-4, 1-2).

run average. The story was very similar a year ago, when the Upper Iowa University recruit — typically paired up against the opponent’s ace — went just 2-5 despite sporting a respectable ERA.

Fort Dodge (6-7 overall, 1-3 in the CIML Iowa Conference) reversed the trend and had a hit parade to support Callon against the Bobcats (9-4, 1-2).

“It was a lot of fun to see everyone getting hits,” said Callon, who lowered his ERA to 0.32 in five appearances so far this season. “It makes it a lot easier for me to have the run support we did (last night).

“Hopefully, it’s a confidence-builder as we keep moving through the season.”

Dodger freshman Carson Peterson had a breakout effort at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two doubles, two runs scored and five RBI. Callon was 3-for-3 with a triple and an RBI, while Brycen Bell, Dylan Zimmermann and Drake Callon all crossed home twice.

Drake Callon, Drew’s freshman brother, also drove in three.

“It was great to see our aggressive approach at the plate in the first game,” FDSH head coach Blake Utley said. “We had a very similar (performance) at Sioux City North the last time out. I know our guys can hit — it’s just a matter of finding the consistency and believing in ourselves against top-level pitching.

“Carson was at the ballpark on Monday preparing before anyone else. He’s going to come in and work and grind. He got off to a little bit of a slow start, but he’s just getting started at the varsity level and he’ll get there as long as he keeps putting in the time.”

The Dodgers were silenced in the nightcap by Wade Canaday and University of Louisville recruit Tate Kuehner. Fort Dodge senior left-hander Drake Miller was the tough-luck loser, surrendering just three hits overall and a pair of runs in the fourth while striking out seven.

“Drew and Drake were outstanding. They pitched well enough for us to get a sweep,” Utley said. “Our defense was OK, but we still have a lot of work to do. It’s a process. We have to find a way to win these close games with a little more timely hitting and fewer mental mistakes.”

Peterson was 1-for-2 with a run scored and another double in the second contest.

The Dodgers are at eighth-ranked Southeast Polk on Wednesday.