Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Returning letterwinners for the Fort Dodge softball squad are, front row (left to right): Macy Wills, Aubrey Alstott and Hope Alstott. Back: Ellie Doster, Calliegh Zimmermann, Grace Nichols, Teryn Rippentrop and Maeleena Meyer.

This Fort Dodge softball group wants to be the one. The one that starts a new streak — their own streak.

The Dodgers’ remarkable run of seven straight state tournament appearances ended last season in the regional final — something they want to erase and start fresh by clearing that hurdle and making it back to Rogers Park the third week of July in 2026.

“They want to take this program and make their own legacy now,” said FDSH head coach Andi Adams, who is entering her 26th season as head coach at the school. “They are working hard and want to show that they can play with anyone, too.”

Adams believes she has the pieces, but putting the puzzle together will take patience and continued hard work. Fort Dodge has a young group mixed with some experience.

Adams believes that no matter who is on the field, the effort will be there.

“Here’s what I love about these girls: they put in the time,” Adams said. “They’re constantly in the weight room, and they started their hitting groups back in November.

“What they do won’t be for a lack of work or effort. They are super fun to be around.”

Adams must fill the holes left by all-state pitcher Lucy Porter and Cadence Touney — who are both currently playing college softball — as well as the graduated Meah McCaleb — an Iowa Central volleyball player — and Ashlyn Wills.

“Player-led teams win the most,” Adams said. “I’m trying to change my approach more so that they are ready in games, and calmly help them with strategies.

“I’m most impressed with this group because they’re buying in and listening.”

The Dodgers are still making adjustments and learning on the fly during the preseason, heading into Monday’s opener at Sioux City North.

“We have a lot of things in mind,” Adams said. “We have a solid number 1 pitcher in (sophomore) Aubrey Alstott, who we all believe in — and we have some others who need to be on the field. So everything may be by committee at times.

“There might be nights where 15 or 16 different players will see the field.”

Adams is one win from reaching 800 for her FDSH career. She is 799-321 at the helm for the Dodgers, and 852-354 overall.

Fort Dodge is 264-67 overall since the start of the 2018 campaign.

Pitching

For the first time since 2018, the Dodgers will enter the season without a pitcher who had double-digit wins and had attained all-state honors the year before.

Alstott is ready to shoulder the load, though. She was Fort Dodge’s second pitcher last season, going 8-6 with a 3.68 earned run average and 43 strikeouts.

“It’s indescribable the amount of work Aubrey has put in,” Adams said. “Every time I would go to the (Softball) Connection (building), she would be there. I would have to tell her to go home.

“She wants the reins and she will be the first to tell you that.”

Freshman Emersyn Lara and sophomore Sydney Carver saw limited innings a year ago, but will be key pieces this season. Freshman Tori Jakeman should see some time as well.

“Emersyn and Sydney, as well as Tori, all bring something unique to the table,” Adams said. “Both Aubrey and Tori have low drops.

“We can plug Emersyn and Sydney in and get some innings as we go through an (opposing) lineup and get deeper into the game.”

Adams said eighth grader Jocelynn Bishop won’t likely see varsity action this year, but is a name to remember.

Infield

Junior catcher Ellie Doster is the anchor as a two-time returning first team all-state catcher. She had 48 hits, three home runs and drove in 40 runs last season. Doster hit .430 in 2025 and led the team in RBI and hits.

In her career, Doster already has 133 hits and 100 RBI, with five home runs.

“Ellie does a great job behind the plate,” Adams said. “Her softball IQ is off the charts. She knows the game and has worked very hard.

“There has definitely been growth in her maturity level. She’s becoming a leader. She knows exactly what we need.”

Also behind the dish are freshmen Kinsley Nelson and Brooklyn Gilliland, as well as eighth-grader Ava Greiner.

Returning at first base is Calliegh Zimmermann. The junior had three home runs and drove in 13 last summer.

At 6-foot-2, sophomore Grace Nichols is a demanding presence on the field. She will be in the mix at first base.

Nichols had 17 hits, three home runs and 18 RBI as a freshman.

“Calliegh has played there for three years now and is very athletic,” Adams said. “Grace has gotten so much better and gives us a power bat we need in the lineup.

“Calliegh can also play in right (field).”

Lara will man second base with freshman Rylee O’Brion and Greiner.

“Emersyn, Rylee and Ava all have a shot,” Adams said. “They’re all going to surprise some people.”

At shortstop will be three time all-stater Hope Alstott. The FDSH junior was second in Class 4A with 45 stolen bases last summer, and fifth in runs with 59. She clubbed four home runs and drove in 18 with a .432 batting average.

In her three years as a Dodger, Alstott has already scored 162 runs with 151 hits, six home runs, 76 RBI and 100 stolen bases.

“Hope is the rock of our infield,” Adams said. “She is great defensively and is hard to get out at the plate.”

Also at shortstop is O’Brion.

Freshman Macy Wills will move from the outfield to third base. Wills’ season was cut short from an injury last season, where she drove in 13 runs and hit .500 in 38 at bats.

“Last year was stolen from Macy, unfortunately. She was off to a terrific start,” Adams said. “She’s only a freshman, but is a leader and does it by example.”

Outfield

Standing in centerfield is senior Teryn Rippentrop, who hit .298 last season.

“She looks amazing,” Adams said. “Teryn just needs to keep her confidence up and keep going.”

In left or right field will be senior Maeleena Meyer, who stole 15 bases in 2025. Rippentrop swiped nine.

“Mae has fought hard for a spot,” Adams said. “She wants to prove that she can be out there as a senior leader.”

Close behind are Gilliland, freshman Rylan Hewett, freshman Meg Marsh and freshman Karson Porter. Freshman Allison Baade and Jakeman will look to see the field in some aspect as well.

“We have a lot of players who are good with different attributes,” Adams said. “Some have good arms, some can catch the ball and track it well. We just have to work on things and make them all more well-rounded.”

In the batter’s box, Adams sees the same level of versatility.

“We can manufacture runs in a lot of different ways,” Adams said. “We have girls that can hit the ball hard, girls that can power slap, and ones that can move runners.

“We just have to be selfless.”

Adams knows the Dodgers will need to be productive offensively to support a staff and defense in transition — especially with a difficult schedule.

“We’re going to get punched in the mouth at times,” Adams said. “But we will punch back. These girls are learning and fighting for spots and for each other.”

Adams initiated the Red vs. Black competition to help build competitiveness and camaraderie.

“We divided into two teams with a draft,” Adams said. “This will make them stronger and build more of a relationship with their teammates.”

Adams knows what it takes to compete at a high level and feels this group has what it takes.

“A culture is whatever you allow people to do,” Adams said. “We are not allowed to cut corners. We want to be on our field in July again (for state).

“We’re going to surprise a lot of people. This group is fun to watch. They do things the right way and get after it.”

Adams will again be assisted by Nick Vinson and Roger Porter. Bre Drees joins the staff this summer.

2026 FORT DODGE SOFTBALL

Roster

Seniors — Teryn Rippentrop, Maeleena Meyer.

Juniors — Hope Alstott, Ellie Doster, Calliegh Zimmermann.

Sophomores — Aubrey Alstott, Sydney Carver, Grace Nichols.

Freshmen — Brooklyn Gilliland, Tori Jakeman, Emersyn Lara, Meg Marsh, Rylee O’Brion, Karson Porter, Allison Baade, Rylan Hewett, Kinsley Nelson.

Eighth-graders — Ava Greiner, Jocelynn Bishop.

Schedule

May 18 — at Sioux City North; 19 — Valley; 26 — at Dallas Center-Grimes; 28 — Boone.

June 1 — at Mason City; 3 — Marshalltown; 6 — at Bakey Classic; 8 — at Ames; 10 — Des Moines Roosevelt; 11 — at Waterloo East; 12 — Sioux City East; 15 — at Des Moines East; 19-20 — Fort Dodge Invitational; 22 — Mason City; 25 — at Marshalltown; 26-27 — at Linn-Mar/Alburnett Tournament; 29 — Ames.

July 1 — Waterloo East; 2 — Ballard; 6 — at Cedar Falls; 7 — at Waukee.