Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Fort Dodge's Mason Bockoven tags out an Ames runner at home plate during the substate round at McNeil Field.

Fort Dodge’s Mason Bockoven took all of the necessary steps when no one was looking to make sure he shined in the spotlight.

Bockoven recently swept through a number of postseason baseball awards, garnering first team all-CIML Iowa Conference honors to go along with first team all-district and IHSBCA senior all-star recognition.

The Dodger infielder and pitcher made the most of his final season on the field, batting .365 with four home runs and 25 runs batted in over the course of just 23 games. Fort Dodge posted an overall record of 13-10, with Bockoven logging time on the mound and at both shortstop and third base.

“Mason is very deserving of the recognition,” FDSH head coach Blake Utley said. “Not only because he was a tremendous leader for us and a terrific young man, but I know how much he put into the game in the offseason and even during the year to get to that next level. He takes no short cuts. Even when it comes to getting things done between games or in practice when no one is really paying attention, he’s taking care of it.

“Mason is just the true definition of a hard worker. Opposing coaches respect the heck out of him and the way he carries himself. We’re all very proud to say he wore that Dodger uniform, and in turn, he did so with a tremendous amount of pride himself.”

On June 29, Bockoven set the program’s single-day record with 12 RBI in a doubleheader sweep of Des Moines Roosevelt at McNeil Field. He hit a grand slam and a three-run home run in the same inning during the opener.

In addition to his success at the plate, Bockoven fired a complete game five-hit shutout to lead FDSH past Ames in a substate quarterfinal, 4-0.

Bockoven was joined by junior outfielder Tyler Schreier and sophomores Jace Ulrich (infield) and Carson Peterson (utility) on the CIML Iowa’s first team.

Schreier hit .393 with four doubles, four triples and 27 runs scored in a shortened season.

“Tyler wasn’t in our everyday lineup at first because he was still coming back from an injury,” Utley said. “Once he got going, he really brought a different energy level and athleticism to our leadoff spot. He took off, and proved a lot of doubters wrong.”

Ulrich batted .354 with 15 runs scored. Peterson was at .286 and went 4-0 on the mound. Opponents hit just .147 against him.

“Jace and Carson really came on late in the season,” Utley said. “Given the way things started (due to the global pandemic), kids were all kind of finding a rhythm at their own pace and settling into a comfort zone at different times. Once they got going, their productivity increased (offensively).

“I think Jace and Carson both, as just sophomores, were really turning a corner and setting themselves up big to be productive upperclassmen (next summer).”

Senior Nick Bice (outfield) and junior Dylan Zimmermann (utility) landed on the CIML Iowa second squad. Bice carried a .349 average — well over 100 points higher than his final mark a season ago. Zimmermann pitched, caught and played the infield. He struck out 29 batters in just 23.2 innings of work.

“Nick set a goal of raising his average 100 points. He did that and then some,” Utley said. “He accepted the challenge of batting second for us and did a great job in that role (Bice scored 22 times, which was second on the team to only Schreier).

“Dylan hit a home run for us against Ames (in the substate round) and was really starting to come around late, like Jace and Carson. We’re going to need a big senior year from him. He’s a versatile player with a big upside. Like everyone else, he just has to keep working on his craft.”

Seniors Easton Cone, Nelson Cone and Brycen Bell were honorable-mention picks.

Schreier also made second team all-district as an outfielder.

“It’s hard to fully appreciate just how difficult it was to get all-district in our region,” Utley said. “To land two guys on those teams against the likes of players from (2020 state champion) Johnston, (2019 champ) Urbandale, Ankeny Centennial, Mason City and others is a terrific accomplishment for both Mason and Tyler.”