DODGERS ARE BACK, HUNGRY FOR MORE

Motivation from missing out a year ago inspires third-ranked Fort Dodge

The third-ranked Fort Dodge softball team caught the state by surprise.

The Dodgers carry a strong tradition on the diamond, and a solid product is always expected.

But this year -- with only two seniors on the roster and coming off a rare state miss in 2025 -- they seemed to be a work in progress without a true identity.

Until their first game.

Even veteran Andi Adams, who is ninth on the all-time state appearances chart for head coaches, wasn't sure quite what this team could achieve. That all changed with a comeback victory over powerhouse and third-ranked (Class 5A) West Des Moines Valley on opening day.

The homesteading Dodgers trailed 5-2 heading into the sixth inning. All-stater Ellie Doster cut the margin to 5-4 with a two-run shot -- the first of her 13 on the season.

In the bottom of the seventh, freshman Meg Marsh scored on a wild pitch. The next at-bat -- and the entire rally -- helped Adams see what this season was going to be all about.

Freshman Macy Wills took the first pitch over the wall for a walk-off solo home run and a 6-5 victory over the Tigers.

"Honestly? That told me basically everything I needed to know about this group," Adams said. "We fought back, showed resilience, and didn't back down.

"I truly felt like we had something after winning a gritty game like that against an elite program."

That widened Adams' eyes. In one game, she found the mettle of her squad.

"When we rallied (against Valley), I got a feeling," Adams said. "Then we just kept winning. We beat the teams we should and even won games maybe (on paper) we shouldn't."

Adams felt each time out, this group was building.

"Before a lot of our tournaments, we were thinking we'd maybe go 2-2 and we'd go 3-1," Adams said. "We did better (than anticipated) and they seemed unfazed. I knew this team was going to be different."

Other than statistics and wins, it's not hard for Adams to pinpoint what her program is built on both this year and overall: relationships.

"It's the old cliche: this team works hard or that team put in a lot of time in the offseason," Adams said. "This group did that, but they also built a bond as a team. They have fun together and understand the purpose."

It extends far beyond the product on the field.

"They truly enjoy being around each other," Adams said. "One trip they'll hang out with a different group of friends and then on another, a different group spends time together.

"They get along so well. They remind me a lot of the 2021 team (state championship squad)."

This week will be Fort Dodge's 21st state appearance. It's the 16th under Adams in 26 seasons, and the eighth in the last nine years.

"So much of the work came before season even started," Adams said. "Everything after that, during the year, is more about guiding and fixing a few things."

The Dodgers have gone with a pitching rotation, and sophomore Aubrey Alstott has risen to the top.

Alstott, who has only two career postseason starts, tossed a perfect game and a no-hitter in regionals -- both coming in four-inning routs.

"Everything has been working well," said Alstott, who is 22-1. "We all wanted this so bad: to get back to the state tournament.

"It's great to get back with this group."

As an eighth-grader two years ago, Alsott picked up a win in the state tournament.

"She's so focused," Adams said. "When I took her out in the first game against Valley, that lit a fire in Aubrey that turned into a wildfire.

"When she comes out of the tunnel for the game, she comes out ready to go and fired up."

Doster has had a powerful season rivaled by very few in program history.

"Ellie is on a different level," Adams said. "She felt like last year, she didn't have the season she wanted and didn't like that taste.

"Her softball IQ is insanely good."

Doster has the single-season program record with 74 RBI. Her 13 home runs is one away from the school record.

"We really wanted to get back to state," Doster said. "Aubrey has been pitching so well. We have built a good relationship and a really good friendship."

Adams has also leaned on a lineup that has every hitter batting over .330 and five over .400.

"I don't know if I've ever had a 1-9 as balanced as this," Adams said. "I've had pitcher-dominated, offense-dominated and defense-dominated teams, but this group does it all.

"There will be games where the top may not be on fire, but the bottom picks us up and vice versa."

Senior Teryn Rippentrop has emerged as a threat seemingly out of nowhere in 2026. Rippentrop is batting .485 with 38 RBI and 64 hits.

"I put in a lot of work in the offseason and just tried to get myself better with my mental approach," Rippentrop said. "I love this team and these girls. This is a great way to end my career as a Dodger."

Rippentrop went from no offers to a scholarship to Indian Hills Community College.

"Teryn is arguably our biggest turnaround ever," Adams said. "I will tell her story forever about never giving up.

"She played her way into a softball scholarship at the next level."

Junior Hope Alstott, a three-time first team all-stater, sets the table for the Dodgers. She's batting .442 with 44 RBI and 50 hits.

"Hope is a true Dodger," Adams said. "If anyone wants to leave a legacy here with this program, it's Hope. Not just on the field, but in the school. She has over 200 hours of volunteer work. She sets the hitting schedule.

"She is Red and Black through and through."

The Dodger lineup has big numbers, but balance has been the key.

"We just have so many kids -- like Macy (Wills), Meg (Marsh), Calliegh (Zimmermann), Grace (Nichols), Emersyn (Lara), Maeleena (Meyer) and Sydney (Carver) -- who bring something special to the table," Adams said. "They want to carry on the tradition, and everyone who is in our dugout does something important for the good of the team."