Submitted photo: The Fort Dodge softball team poses together after winning the inaugural Iowa Alliance Conference Northern Division title with a sweep at Ames on Thursday night.

Contrary to somewhat-popular belief, the third-ranked (Class 4A) Fort Dodge softball team isn’t focused on silencing their critics or proving naysayers wrong.

The Dodgers aren’t in this for the last laugh. They’re doing it for themselves.

And each other.

Head coach Andi Adams’s squad clinched the Iowa Alliance Conference Northern Division title on Thursday, posting a pair of hard-fought victories against Ames on the Little Cyclones’ home field.

Scores were 2-1 in nine innings and 3-2 in favor of the Dodgers, who turned around a little over 12 hours later and knocked off fifth-rated Norwalk at the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational on Friday.

As per usual, Fort Dodge (28-8 overall, 15-1 in the IAC North) wasn’t flashy or powerful in the meticulous sweep of Ames (22-16, 13-3). The Dodgers were perfectly content — even comfortable — with the idea of grinding out low-scoring wins centered around pitching and defense.

“(Thursday) was kind of the story of our season in a nutshell,” Adams said. “Guts, grit and heart. The girls put it all on the line against a very good Ames ballclub, and it was on their turf.

“That is what this time of year is all about, though. If you can’t find ways to handle pressure and execute under tough circumstances, you won’t get very far. The team loved the challenge, and they responded. I’m very proud of them, because they have worked incredibly hard to make something happen despite (heavy losses from a year ago). There were certainly of question marks coming into this season, but this group has given us answers over and over again.”

The pitching of sophomore Lucy Porter and senior Lydia Lara was brilliant on Thursday. Porter (17-7) fired a two-hitter in nine innings of work, striking out nine. Lara (11-1) surrendered two runs in the fourth to break a scoreless tie, but didn’t give up another run as the Dodgers rallied with a run in the fifth and two in the sixth.

Eighth-grader Ellie Doster had three hits and drove in both FDSH runs in the opener. Junior Mackenzie McIlrath was 2-for-4 with a double. The Dodgers didn’t commit a single error behind Porter.

McIlrath and senior Maggie Elsbecker both drove in runs in the nightcap. Sophomore Meah McCaleb doubled and scored.

“I’ve always said that to beat good teams on the road, you need everyone to step up and contribute in their own way,” Adams said. “We saw that over and over again (Thursday).

“The kids were emotional. This means a lot to them. We were super focused. The pitching and defense was phenomenal. The mindset from the start of the night was to sweep, knowing a split would mean sharing (with the Little Cyclones). Our girls wanted it all.”

There was no let-up on Friday at DC-G, as Fort Dodge extended its win streak to eight with a shutout of the Warriors (25-8).

Porter tossed a two-hit shutout with five strikeouts. Lara had two hits and drove in a pair. Eighth-grader Hope Alstott scored twice.

The Dodgers hit a wall of sorts in a 5-0 setback versus No. 10 (5A) Johnston. Lara took her first loss of the season, and FDSH managed only a single hit against the Dragons (25-13).

“Great energy in the Norwalk game,” Adams said. “That speaks to our character to turn around on short rest and play as focused as we did.

“Johnston took care of business. No excuses. We’re all tired right now to a certain extent, with a lot of games, hot weather and everything else. We don’t lose — we learn. And Johnston gave us plenty to work on, because a program like that will give you zero margin for error.”

Fort Dodge now closes the regular season with home contests at Rogers Park against No. 12 (5A) Waukee on Monday and the Dragons again on Wednesday. Monday is a varsity twinbill starting at 5 p.m.; Wednesday is a single varsity game at 7 p.m.