Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Cadence Touney of fort dodge dives to make a catch on Wednesday against Johnston at Rogers Park. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

Andi Adams is never happy after suffering a loss.

But the veteran Fort Dodge head softball coach also understands just how much can be gained in defeat.

The third-ranked (Class 4A) Dodgers dropped their regular season finale here Wednesday night at Rogers Park to No. 10 (5A) Johnston, 2-0.

Behind a run in the first and one more in the second, the Dragons were able to keep the FDSH offense at a minimum, allowing just four hits on the evening.

“That is the best defense we have faced all year — and most likely the best defense we will face this season (in the Dragons),” Adams said. “Even when they aren’t a typical ‘Johnston’ ballclub in terms of being ranked high or having a flashy record, they are still Johnston. That means they are well coached, well disciplined and you will have to beat them to win the game.

“I thought we played well enough to win and Lucy (Porter) definitely pitched well enough to win. We just had a couple things that kept us from doing that.”

Porter fired a five-hitter, striking out seven without issuing a walk for the Dodgers (29-9 overall), who will host either Spencer of Sioux City Heelan back here on Saturday night in a 4A, Region 1 semifinal.

Mackenzie McIlrath had a double, with Hope Alstott, Meah McCaleb and senior Maggie Elsbecker each recording one hit. Alstott also reached on a walk, senior Lydia Lara reached after being hit by a pitch and Elsbecker recorded a sacrifice.

“We did several good things,” Adams said. “I’ll take a game like this right before the postseason because it shows you what you need to work on and gives you confidence because of how tough teams like Johnston make you play.

“You have to be razor focused each and every pitch; you can’t take any pitch off. That is the difference between winning and losing in the postseason.”

For the Dragons, Berkley McClish allowed just two hits over five innings to earn the win, as Lauren Tegels had a triple and Jensyn Tenpas a double. Tegels and Ella Smithson each drove in a run.

Johnston (25-13) finished tied for fifth in the CIML, but has won six straight and 12 of 15 overall. That streak includes a win over No. 1 (4A) Carlisle and a split with second-ranked (5A) Waukee Northwest.

JOHNSTON 2, FORT DODGE 0

Johnston 110 000 0 — 2 5 1

Fort Dodge 000 000 0 — 0 4 0

WP–Berkley McClish (8-2, 5 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 K, 1 BB). LP–Lucy Porter (18-8, 7 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 7 K, 0 BB).

3B–J: Lauren Tegels. 2B–J: Jensyn Tenpas; FD: Mackenzie McIlrath. RBI–J: Ella Smithson, Lauren Tegels. SB–J: Rachael Schlotter.