Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Ellie Doster of Fort Dodge tries to tag Waukee Northwest’s Aunya Van Zetten at home plate on Friday at Rogers Park. For more photos, visit CU.messengernews.net

Andi Adams knew what was in store for the Fort Dodge softball team on Friday night.

In fact, she welcomed it.

It wasn’t the outcome the eighth-ranked (Class 4A) Dodgers (10-5 overall) wanted against No. 1 (5A) Waukee Northwest (15-3), as the visitors posted a 12-4 victory.

It was, however, the kind of competition Fort Dodge needed.

“This is what we want,” the veteran Dodger head coach said. “We want to go up against the best teams in the state and the best players. Losses can hurt, but they can also help mentally and physically.

“It’s a test to see where you’re at and how you handle adversity.”

Fort Dodge stood against one of the top players in the state in star freshman Sophia Schlader, who did it all in the victory.

Schlader opened the game with a leadoff home run, and later added her second long ball with a three-run shot — her fourth in two days. She finished 3-for-3 with four RBI and three runs scored. Her two home runs tied her with Ankeny Centennial’s Jordyn Kennedy as the top power hitters in Class 5A with nine this season.

“Schlader is a great player and among the best (freshmen) in the nation,” Adams said of Schlader. “She can do it all, and has been on a tear lately.”

Schlader entered the night with a 1.74 earned run average. She threw hard, but the Dodgers were able to come up with six hits, including a big one from sophomore Calliegh Zimmermann.

“That was great to see Calleigh come through,” Adams said. “She has been struggling a little at the plate, but she came up with a big hit.”

The Dodgers’ eight-hole hitter ripped a Schlader delivery over the right-center field fence for a three run homer — her second of the season — scoring Kam Gochee and Ava Wessels.

The Dodgers didn’t shy away from the top-ranked Wolves, as they plated a run in the bottom of the first. After leading off with a single, Hope Alstott scored on a wild pitch after Ashlyn Wills had a sacrifice bunt and sac fly from Ellie Doster. Alstott finished with two hits.

Laurel Richards added a two-run home run for the Wolves, who had 11 hits on the evening.

Waukee Northwest’s one through four hitters were a combined 10-for-12 against FDSH.

“Carrie (Eby, Waukee Northwest head coach) has a really strong team,” Adams said. “They have a ton of talent and softballsavvy players.

“These are the opponents you want to face. We beat them last year when they were No. 1 at their place. Both programs have a ton of respect for each other.”

Fort Dodge is back in action on Monday night at Rogers Park against Des Moines East. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. for the doubleheader.

WAUKEE NORTHWEST 12, FORT DODGE 4

Waukee NW 154 02 –12 11 0

Fort Dodge 130 00 — 4 7 2

2B–WNW: Leela Appeldorn; HR–WNW: Sophia Schlader (2), Laurel Richards. FD: Calliegh Zimmermann.