—Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Fort dodge’s dylan zimmerman celebrates after the Dodgers beat Ames 4-0 in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Friday at Ed McNeil Field. The Dodgers will now travel to Sioux City East on Monday. For more photos, visit CU at messengernews.net

Blake Utley knew Friday night’s regional quarterfinal against Ames was going to be different then the last time the two teams meet.

After being swept by the Little Cyclones on Monday, Utley felt that his ballclub had a lot more in them and that the third meeting would be a lot different.

“What happened on Monday was not a concern for us,” Utley said.”This game went how we had seen it. I thought our guys were locked in.”

Senior Mason Bockoven took to the hill for the Dodgers (13-9 overall), going the distance, shutting out Amen, 4-0. It was only the second shutout of the season for Fort Dodge (DM North was the other).

“Mason was outstanding from the word go,” Utterly said. “I feel that all of our pitchers can compete, Mason is a workhorse. He is the guy that you want to have the ball and is an all around good person. He does all of the little things that nobody sees extremely well.

“He came to me and said coach “I want the ball for substrate“. I seen the look in his eyes and I knew that I had to give him the ball. Other guys wanted the ball to, but there was no second guessing it, Mason was getting the ball.”

Fort Dodge will now face Sioux City East who defeated Sioux City West 9-1 on Friday night. The Dodgers will head to SC East on Monday for a 7 p.m. first pitch.

The Dodgers gave Bockoven (1-4) an early cushion and the senior never looked back, allowing only five hits. He fanned seven and walked only one batter.

Jace Ulrich started the scoring in the first inning, lacing a single up the middle to plate pinch runner Jerry Chada. Chada took to the bases after a Bockoven single, stealing second and advancing to third on an error.

“Getting runs early is important because it takes pressure off of your defense and your pitcher,” Utley said. “Jace Ulrich taking one up the middle with two outs for the first run of the game was huge.”

Dylan Zimmerman made it 2-0 in the second, hitting his first home run of the season.

“Nelson (Cone) had the best game I’ve ever seen him play (defensively),” Utley said. “He comes in and takes 100 groundballs a day and does all the little things. Dylan had a huge game behind and at the plate.”

The Dodgers tacked on the final two runs of the ballgame in the third inning. Tyler Schreier scored on a passed ball and Nick Bice stole home for the fourth and final run of the ballgame.

“It was a straight steal. We needed a couple of things to go right to do it, and they were there, so we tried it,” Utley said. “They really grasp the concept of mudita — finding the enjoyment in others.

“They all play for the cause. We have guys up and down the lineup that want to do well for each other and do what is necessary for the team.”

Easton Cone and Brycen Bell also had hits for the Dodgers.