Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Fort Dodge teammates Ashlyn Wills (right) and Cadence Touney converge on a fly ball earlier this month at Rogers Park.

A dozen ranked teams, two defending state champions, a returning runner-up and four other state qualifiers are among those in attendance here this Friday at the Fort Dodge Invitational.

The two-day event begins at 9 a.m. on Diamonds 1 and 2 at Rogers Park. Games will continue through Saturday when a champion is crowned at 5:45 p.m.

As host of the invite, the fourth-ranked (Class 4A) and defending 5A runner-up Dodgers will begin play at 2:15 p.m. when they face Mid-Prairie on their own field.

St. Edmond, rated sixth in 1A, takes on No. 1 (3A) and defending state champion Williamsburg on its home field at 10:45 a.m.

Iowa City Regina is the other returning state champion, as the Regals claimed gold in 2A and are currently ranked No. 1.

Central Springs, a third place finisher in 2A, is second, while Lisbon is No. 3 in 3A. Ankeny is fourth in 5A and Newell-Fonda fourth in 1A. Muscatine checks in at No. 7 in 5A after placing third at state, while Winterset won the 4A title and is eighth.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy (11th, 5A) and Waterloo Columbus (15th, 2A) are the other rated teams with Ames, Atlantic, Mid-Prairie and Sioux City Heelan rounding out the field.

The first two rounds will be played on the championship side, with losers from the opening round also getting in a second game in the consolation brackets. The entire 16-team field will be played out to determine finishing positions.

Last year, Winterset knocked off Fort Dodge for the team title, as Muscatine finished third and Williamsburg fourth.

Saturday’s semifinals will be played at 2:15 p.m. Along with the main two diamonds, Dodger Diamond will also be used during the event.

FORT DODGE INVITATIONAL

Friday’s Games

First Round

Ankeny vs. Sioux City Heelan, 9 a.m. (Diamond 1)

Ames vs. Newell-Fonda, 9 a.m. (Diamond 2)

Muscatine vs. Atlantic, 10:45 a.m. (D1)

Williamsburg vs. St. Edmond, 10:45 a.m. (D2)

Lisbon vs. Winterset, 12:30 p.m. (D1)

Iowa City Regina vs. Waterloo Columbus, 12:30 p.m. (D2)

Central Springs vs. Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 2:15 p.m. (D2)

Mid-Prairie vs. Fort Dodge, 2:15 p.m. (D1)

Quarterfinals

Ankeny/Sioux City Heelan winner vs. Ames/Newell-Fonda winner, 4 p.m. (D1)

Muscatine/Atlantic winner vs. Williamsburg/St. Edmond winner, 4 p.m. (D2)

Lisbon/Winterset winner vs. Iowa City Regina/Waterloo Columbus winner, 5:45 p.m. (D2)

Central Springs/Cedar Rapids Kennedy winner vs. Mid-Prairie/Fort Dodge winner, 5:45 p.m. (D1)

Saturday’s Games

Semifinals

Ankeny/Sioux City Heelan/Ames/Newell-Fonda winner vs. Muscatine/Atlantic/Williamsburg/St. Edmond winner, 2:15 p.m. (D2)

Lisbon/Winterset/Iowa City Regina/Waterloo Columbus winner vs. Central Springs/Cedar Rapids Kennedy/Mid-Prairie/Fort Dodge winner, 2:15 p.m.

Championship

Semifinal winner vs. semifinal winner, 5:45 p.m. (D1)

Ranked Teams

No. 1 (3A) Williamsburg (3rd, 3A)

No. 1 (2A) Iowa City Regina (1st, 2A)

No. 2 (2A) Central Springs (3rd, 2A)

No. 3 (2A) Lisbon

No. 4 (4A) Fort Dodge (2nd, 5A)

No. 4 (5A) Ankeny

No. 4 (1A) Newell-Fonda (SQ, 1A)

No. 6 (1A) St. Edmond

No. 7 (5A) Muscatine (3rd, 5A)

No. 8 (4A) Winterset (1st, 4A)

No. 11 (5A) Cedar Rapids Kennedy

No. 15 (2A) Waterloo Columbus