Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Hope Alstott of Fort Dodge was a repeat first team IGCA all-state selection despite being just a freshman.

Andi Adams shared honest, mixed emotions upon release of the 2024 Iowa Girls Coaches Association all-state softball squads Wednesday.

The Fort Dodge head coach celebrated the recognition of three Dodgers — including the only two freshmen to land on Class 4A’s first team. Ninth-grader Hope Alstott became a repeat honoree, with classmate Ellie Doster landing in the top group as well.

FDSH junior Lucy Porter, meanwhile, earned a spot on the second squad.

It wasn’t all good news for Adams, though, who hoped a fourth Dodger — junior Meah McCaleb — would garner similar attention for a banner year like the rest.

“I’m obviously incredibly proud of our kids and happy for their achievements,” said Adams, who just completed her 24th season at the helm. “The work they put in and the sacrifices they make is impressive. That goes for not only (the all-staters), but everyone in the program who commits to this sport and Dodger softball.

“Hope earned it. Ellie earned it. Lucy earned it. And don’t get me wrong: having three all-staters is a terrific accomplishment for our program. It’s a nod both to the schedule we play and us reaching the state tournament. I really believe that. But I think Meah earned it as well. If it were up to me, she’d be an all-stater. She’s already one in my book. She was deserving and I was rooting for her to make it. Unfortunately, this is how it goes sometimes (with postseason awards).”

Alstott followed up her breakthrough eighth-grade campaign by hitting .430 with 52 runs scored and 26 RBI. The shortstop also stole a Fort Dodge-best 30 bases.

“Hope is just so consistent, which was extra tough for her (this summer) because she played hurt for the majority of the year,” Adams said. “She has a hand injury that never really healed. But she didn’t make any excuses and kept grinding through it.”

Doster, a catcher, drove in 43 runs — the eighth-best total in 4A — and batted close to .400. She doubled 14 times.

“Ellie turned a corner,” Adams said. “She was good as an eighth grader (in 2023), but she took it to a new level this year. That’s a testament to her offseason work ethic.”

Porter won 19 games in the circle with 170 strikeouts. The Minnesota State University recruit also batted .322 with 26 RBI, and tied for the team lead in home runs.

“Lucy is another kid who has put in the time and has a drive to play at the next level,” Adams said. “You don’t have to question how any of those three got here. There are no shortcuts. We’re fortunate to have all of them around now for another season.

“I don’t think people realize how many good teams and players there are in 4A. The entire first team was filled with juniors and seniors with the exception of Hope and Ellie. And there are even more coming up through the ranks.”

McCaleb tied for the 4A lead in triples and was second in runs scored. She hit .402 and “was a superstar at third (base) for me,” Adams added. “Her softball IQ is off the charts.

“I think this will motivate Meah heading into (her senior year). I’m hoping all of our kids are either driven to get better or prove someone wrong, because that’s what it will take to try and get back to state (for an eighth straight season) and make a serious push (at winning a title in 2025).”