Photo by Drue Wolfe Lucy Porter pitches for Fort Dodge earlier this week. Porter worked three shutout innings on Saturday in a 12-0 Dodger win over Earlham.

DALLAS CENTER — The Fort Dodge softball team had a little over 12 hours to recover from their CIML Iowa Conference showdown with top-ranked (Class 5A) Waukee Northwest.

The No. 3 Dodgers chose slugging over sluggish on Friday, doubling up second-rated Johnston, 6-3, before pounding Earlham in three innings, 12-0.

Head coach Andi Adams kept a close eye on how her squad reacted to a disappointing split with the Wolves, which saw Northwest gain its first lead of the night at the very end of the nightcap.

If anything it seemed to fuel surging FDSH, which has now won 19 of its last 21 to reach 30-6 overall.

“It was a great way to end another incredible week,” Adams said. “The degree of difficulty with our schedule (the Dodgers have played the second-toughest slate in the entire state according to Varsity Bound) is something we don’t shy away from; we’ve pushed this team, and to their credit, they have responded.

“We knew we were replacing six position players, and early on, it was a little rough. We were still searching for an identity to a certain extent. But I feel like they’ve really settled into a rhythm of confidence, which has led to much better and more consistent performance.”

Fort Dodge plated two runs immediately against the Dragons (29-4) and never looked back. A three-run fifth was the knockout punch.

Freshman Mariah Myers homered and drove in a pair. Senior Jalen Adams was 2-for-2, while freshman Lucy Porter also had two RBI.

Adams surrendered three unearned runs in moving to 17-3 on the season. She didn’t walk a batter and struck out seven, lowering her ERA to 0.70.

“The kids were obviously tired, but they didn’t make any excuses,” Adams said. “It’s tough to turn around and play at 11 (a.m.) after an emotional night (in Waukee). But they were all business. It was great to see, and I’m very proud of them.”

Against Earlham, senior Tory Bennett was 2-for-2 with four RBI and two runs scored. Adams, junior Lydia Lara and junior Maggie Elsbecker all scored twice.

Senior Haley Wills stole three bases.

Porter (13-3) worked the full three innings and struck out four.

“When you play for each other the way these kids do, you don’t have to worry about them having an ‘off’ day,” Adams said. “I know it happens sometimes, but not from lack of effort. To beat the No. 1 and 2 teams back-to-back like this … everyone is embracing their roles and working hard. We’ll get a few days off now and be ready for (regional tournament) week.”

Fort Dodge faces Marshalltown at home on Tuesday, followed by a single road game at Indianola on Wednesday. The Dodgers begin postseason play on Saturday, July 9, at home against either Sioux City East or Sioux City West.

FORT DODGE 6, JOHNSTON 3

Johnston 000 000 3 — 3 4 3

Fort Dodge 201 030 x — 6 8 1

WP–Jalen Adams (17-3; 7 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K). LP–Clairon Rigby (6 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 0 K). HR–FD: Mariah Myers. SB–J: Grace Anderson.

FORT DODGE 12, EARHLAM 0 (3)

Earlham 000 — 0 3 5

Fort Dodge 345 — 12 7 0

WP–Lucy Porter (13-3; 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K). LP–Avery Subbert (2.1 IP, 7 H, 12 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 0 K). 2B–FD: Jalen Adams; E: Alexis Ross. SB–FD: Haley Wills 3, Reese Pederson, Lydia Lara, Maggie Elsbecker; E: Grace Porter.