Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Returning letterwinners for the Fort Dodge baseball squad are, front row (left to right): Kolton Schiltz, Jaxson Dencklau, Davis Underberg, Cael Adams, Hayden Porter, Bo Marsh and Caiden Fraher. Back: Cal Pederson, Tanner Peterson, Will McElroy, Tru McBride, Mason Frevert and Reggie Pederson.

The Fort Dodge baseball team has graduated from a roster full of young potential to a player-driven program with veterans at nearly every position.

That has head coach Blake Utley excited for the present, rather than just optimistic about the future.

Seven position players and the majority of the pitching staff return for Utley’s Dodgers in 2026. After a 26-14 table-setting campaign a year ago — the program’s best win total in over a decade — the expectations now increase with a stable of upperclassmen in tow.

“And the guys are embracing that challenge,” said Utley, who has a 249-250 overall record in 13 seasons at the helm. “It’s been going really well so far. They know what they want and what it will take to get there.

“We’re actually still relatively young with just two seniors, but a lot of the juniors especially feel like they’re even older because of how much they’ve played. That’s a huge advantage. Now it’s just a matter of getting to that next level with both our physical and mental consistency.”

Fort Dodge was bounced in a substate quarterfinal by rival Mason City at Rogers Park to abruptly end last season. It’s a bitter taste that still lingers, but Utley saw the Dodgers use the adversity as motivation to intensify the fall and winter months of preparation.

“It left us feeling like we have something to prove,” Utley said. “Sometimes it takes a bad situation to rally the troops and get them focused about not taking anything for granted.”

INFIELD

With the exception of graduated first team all-stater Royce Pederson, FDSH’s rotation around the horn returns intact. There will be some mixing and matching based on who is on the mound in a given game, but the core of senior Jaxson Dencklau, junior Cal Pederson, junior Tanner Peterson, junior Bo Marsh, sophomore Reggie Pederson and freshman Hayden Porter offers both talent and wisdom despite still being relatively young.

“We have some moving pieces, because we have to find a good balance between having our best hitters in the lineup and fielding our best defense,” Utley said. “Some guys still have some work to do at the plate, and some are still getting there in the field. It’s early, so we’re trying to find that sweet spot.

“Baseball is a priority to this group. They love the game and have fun playing it. I’m not at all worried about their drive or desire to get better. Things will fall into place and settle in as we go.”

Dencklau hit .319 last year, scoring 35 times and driving in 35 runs while stealing 16 bases. The first team all-Iowa Alliance Conference pick could see some time on the left side of the infield at second base, in addition to his more traditional third base and shortstop duties.

Reggie Pederson, who started 36 games as a freshman, batted .284 and drove in 33. Peterson joins him on the left side of the infield, as does Porter, who hit .275 as a regular starter down the stretch last summer despite being just an eighth grader at the time.

Cal Pederson (.274, 21 RBI, 30 runs) might play some first base to expand his versatility as an infielder. Junior Will McElroy is healthy again and can fill roles at first base or as a designated hitter.

Marsh (.289) is a steady influence behind the plate for a third straight season and “really the anchor in a lot of ways and verbal leader on our team, which is what you want out of a catcher,” Utley said. Senior Caiden Fraher is also behind home plate.

“Tanner commands a presence, and Cal keeps taking huge steps forward. Reggie is just a pure baseball talent. It’s good to see Will healthy again; he’s going to be a difference maker. Hayden was someone who really made a difference down the stretch for us (in 2025).”

OUTFIELD

This group is also replacing an all-stater in four-year starter Rylan Kingrey, but the rest of the regulars are back.

Kolton Schiltz (56 runs, 23 RBI, .542 on-base percentage, 24 stolen bases) tied Dencklau for the most total bases by a non-senior in 2025 and returns for a third summer of varsity action. The junior was a second team all-IAC pick in 2025, and got selected to participate in this spring’s prestigious Prospect Select Iowa All-Star Game.

Schiltz is flanked by classmates Tru McBride (27 RBI, 34 runs last season) and Davis Underberg (.319 average).

“Like the infield, we’re still putting the pieces to the puzzle together without Rylan in center,” Utley said. “Kolton and Davis can both play center, and Tru has solidified his spot in left. They’re all skilled and experienced. It’s always good to have options and versatility.”

PITCHING

Peterson earned first team all-IAC honors after accumulating eight wins and a 2.18 earned run average as just a sophomore in 2025. Opponents hit just .121 against the right-hander.

Every other Dodger hurler other than the graduated Landen Grandors (4-3) returns with starting experience: Reggie Pederson (3-1), McBride (1-1), McElroy (1-2), junior Mason Frevert (2-0) and sophomore Cael Adams (2-0). Cal Pederson (2-1) regularly worked out of the bullpen last summer.

“We have a lot of depth and competition for roles that are still (to be determined),” Utley said. “Again, they’re all out to prove themselves. That’s the fun part about having a lot of options — they know nothing is guaranteed, so it creates a motivated environment.”

SCHEDULE AND STAFF

The Dodgers jump right into the deep end this week, hosting Dallas Center-Grimes on Monday before a trip to West Des Moines Dowling for a doubleheader on Wednesday. The schedule is home heavy in the early going; Fort Dodge also plays Algona on Friday, Indianola on Memorial Day and Des Moines North on Tuesday — all at McNeil Field.

The Iowa Alliance Conference’s Northern Division will be far from a cakewalk. Ames, which went 14-2 in the league and 25-15 overall a year ago, has plenty of talent returning. So does Mason City (10-6, 25-13), which tied FDSH in the standings last season.

“(The Little Cyclones) have a couple of seniors who are going to play at the next level (Jackson Kepley, Cullen Smith and Erik Anderson) and Max Martin, a pitcher who throws around 90 (miles per hour),” Utley said. “Mason City has the majority of (its lineup) back and they’re obviously capable of being (a real contender) because of it. There are some really good teams and outstanding pitching in our conference.

“We’d really like to make a push at (an IAC) title. That’s always going to be a goal.”

Utley will again be assisted by Connor McLeod, Rick Pederson, Nolan Johnson and Jerry Chada.

“I’m really lucky to have these guys on our staff,” Utley said. “They bring a ton of knowledge, wisdom and different perspectives to the table. This is Nolan’s last year with us; he’s going to be seeking some collegiate or even professional (coaching) opportunities. We wish he’d stay around forever. He does a tremendous job.”

The attitude, approach and demeanor are just as important moving forward as the physical ability, according to Utley.

“There will be days where things aren’t going your way. That’s baseball. It’s a game of (dealing with) failure,” Utley said. “Can you grind through that, still be supportive of your teammates and do what you can to help get a win anyway? That’s the biggest challenge for high school kids.

“It’s tough to bring something to the table after an error or a bad at-bat or whatever. But that’s all a part of turning the corner mentally and emotionally. If we can do that consistently, our ceiling will (continue to) rise.”

2026 FORT DODGE BASEBALL

ROSTER

Seniors — Jaxson Dencklau, Caiden Fraher.

Juniors — Tanner Peterson, Bo Marsh, Will McElroy, Davis Underberg, Cal Pederson, Kolton Schiltz, Tru McBride, Mason Frevert, Kingston Phillips, Keaton Hawkins, Grant Hurtt.

Sophomores — Reggie Pederson, Nolan Ahrens, Cael Adams, Bennett Nekvinda, Shaun Begalle.

Freshman — Hayden Porter.

SCHEDULE

May 18 — Dallas Center-Grimes; 20 — at West Des Moines Dowling (2); 22 — Algona (2); 25 — Indianola; 26 — Des Moines North (2); 29 — at Waukee (2).

June 1 — at Mason City (2); 3 — Marshalltown (2); 5 — Sioux City East and Sioux City West; 8 — at Ames (2); 10 – Des Moines Roosevelt (2); 11 — at Waterloo East (2); 13 — Iowa City West; 15 — at Des Moines East (2); 16 — at Humboldt; 18 – Ottumwa (2); 22 — Mason City (2); 24 — at Des Moines Lincoln (2); 25 — at Marshalltown (2); 29 — Ames (2); 30 — at Ankeny Centennial.

July 1 — Waterloo East (2); 7 — Webster City.