ANKENY — The eighth-ranked (Class 4A) Fort Dodge softball team dropped an 8-2 decision here Tuesday night to No. 3 (5A) Ankeny Centennial.

The Jaguars quickly erased a 1-0 deficit with a four-run third, adding insurance runs in the fourth and fifth.

Meah McCaleb and Cadence Touney each recorded two hits to lead the Dodgers, as McCaleb drove in a run. Teryn Rippentrop also had an RBI, as Hope Alstott and Maeleena Meyer both scored.

Touney and Meyer each recorded a double and Alstott stole a base.

For Ankeny Centennial (24-9), both Kori Lincicum and Ava Faber hit home runs. The juniors are committed to Drake and Des Moines Area. Jordyn Kennedy, who earlier this year set the school career home run record and is headed to Minnesota in the fall, went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.

“That is one of the best teams in the state,” FDSH head coach Andi Adams said. “Even in defeat, games like this are what helps to prepare us for the upcoming postseason grind.”

Fort Dodge looks to secure at least a share of the Iowa Alliance Conference North division title when they travel to Waterloo East Wednesday night for a doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m.