ALBURNETT — The third-ranked (Class 4A) Fort Dodge softball team was forced to settle for a split here Friday at the Linn-Mar and Alburnett Tournament.

After topping Alburnett, 3-0, the Dodgers fell to No. 4 (3A) Mount Vernon, 2-1. Fort Dodge (27-4 overall) will face Johnston on Saturday in a consolation semifinal at 11:45 a.m. in Marion.

“We just struggled to hit the ball, and when we did, Mount Vernon was right there with a solid defense,” FDSH head coach Andi Adams said. “That happens in this game. We’ll bounce back on Saturday. I know how hungry these girls are.”

In the win over Alburnett, the Dodgers plated all three of their runs in the third, as Ellie Doster had two hits. Calliegh Zimmermann drove in a run, with Sydney Carver spinning a three-hitter with five strikeouts.

“Sydney did a nice job,” Adams said. “We were able to have that one good inning where we got some runs to support her.”

Emersyn Lara collected two hits vs. Mount Vernon, as Meg Marsh had the other. Aubrey Alstott struck out seven.