AMES — Fort Dodge and Ames have shared a lot of tense moments and memorable matchups on the softball field in recent years.

The third-ranked (Class 4A) Dodgers made sure Monday wouldn’t be one of those doubleheaders that could go either way.

Head coach Andi Adams’ squad took care of business on the road, defeating the Little Cyclones 3-0 and 11-5 in a sweep that was never really in doubt. Fort Dodge (11-2 overall, 6-0 in the IAC North) established itself as the early team to beat in the conference for 2026 with a sweep of Ames, which had started league play 6-0 this season.

“You never take road victories for granted,” Adams said. “We knew they would be tough to beat. They always are.

“To win on the road, you need good pitching, consistent defense, and a balanced offense top to bottom. We got all three of those things. I’m super proud of them.”

The Little Cyclones (6-5, 6-2) had actually taken five of the last eight meetings from FDSH over the last two seasons combined. Ames and the Dodgers shared the IAC North crown in 2025, after the Little Cyclones won it in 2024 and Fort Dodge prevailed in 2023.

Sophomore Aubrey Alstott fired a three-hit shutout in the opener with six strikeouts. The Dodgers plated two runs in the fourth inning, then added an insurance run in the seventh.

Macy Wills, Ellie Doster and Calliegh Zimmermann all drove in runs. Teryn Rippentrop had two hits.

“Aubrey was exceptional,” Adams said. “She came out, hit her spots and commanded the zone. She shut down every (potential Ames) rally.”

The nightcap was all Fort Dodge. The Dodgers built a 6-1 advantage before Ames rallied with three runs in the sixth, but the visitors landed a four-run knockout punch in the top of the seventh.

Meg Marsh had three hits, and Grace Nichols drove in a pair. Hope Alstott scored three times.

Marsh and Sydney Carver doubled.

Emersyn Lara started in the circle, with Carver working 4.1 innings for the win. Alstott came in and recorded a save.

“Sydney did a great job, too. Em (Lara) was warm and ready (from her bullpen work in game one), so we started her,” Adams said. “This was just a true team effort. A lot of different players contributed. Our kids showed guts and tenacity.”

Fort Dodge is now 48-6 in IAC North play since its inception in 2023. Ames is 47-9.

The Dodgers host Des Moines Roosevelt at 5 p.m. on Wednesday at Rogers Park.