-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Aubrey Alstott of Fort Dodge celebrate after beating MOC-Floyd Valley during 4A regional semi-finals on Saturday at Rogers Park

The Fort Dodge dugout has something that isn’t really talked about.

It’s just there.

After their streak of seven straight state tournament bids ended last season, the Dodger softball squad felt they had unfinished business to address.

The feelings were barely discussed, but it has lingered.

“They just know,” said FDSH head coach Andi Adams. “We talk about it a little, but not much. It’s something they care about and they just use it (as motivation).

“I don’t have to say too much. They feel it.”

On Saturday in a Class 4A regional semifinal, MOC-Floyd Valley felt the brunt of Fort Dodge’s motivation and aggression. This group of Dodgers saw what the 2025 squad went through, and they don’t want to experience something like it again.

“They know what we had last year and how they felt with the senior group,” Adams said. “This is their home field and they’ve earned the right to defend it and get back here when the stakes are higher.”

The Dodgers (37-4 overall) cruised to a Class 4A final with a 15-0 rout of MOC-Floyd Valley (16-11) in four innings.

Fort Dodge will now face Sioux City Bishop Heelan (32-8) for a spot in the Class 4A state tournament at Rogers Park. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

Sophomore Aubrey Alstott (21-1) was masterful in her first postseason start. Alstott pitched a perfect game, mowing down every Dutch hitter while striking out eight.

She threw 32 of her 41 pitches for strikes and only allowed one ball out of the infield.

Alstott did pitch in the 2024 state tournament, earning a 7-6 win over Western Dubuque as an eighth-grader.

“Aubrey was phenomenal,” Adams said. “She wants the ball. She went out and dominated, taking care of business and knowing we have bigger things ahead of us.”

Fort Dodge was laser-focused at the plate, pounding out 13 hits — seven of which were for extra bases.

“Same approach against every team — every pitcher,” Adams said. “We are just locked in and ready to go.

“This team is together as one and when I say team, I mean it. They care about each other and do this for each other.”

Calliegh Zimmermann was on point for the Dodgers, going 3-for-3 with three RBI. She was a triple shy of the cycle. Zimmermann connected for a two-run homer and also had a double.

Grace Nichols was 2-for-3 with a pair of two-RBI doubles, driving in four runs.

Indian Hills commit Teryn Rippentrop, one of just two Dodger seniors, was 3-for-3 with an RBI and three runs scored. Macy Wills was 2-for-3 with two RBI and three runs.

Leadoff hitter Hope Alstott was 2-for-2 with three runs scored and reached base on a walk as well.

Alstott helped herself at the plate with an RBI. The top five hitters in the Dodger lineup went a combined 11-for-14 with 12 runs batted in.

Connecting for doubles along with Nichols and Zimmermann were Rippentrop, Wills, Doster and Hope Alstott. Doster also drove in two.

Meg Marsh, Maleena Meyer, Zimmermann and Rylee O’Brion all had stolen bases.

FORT DODGE 15, MOC-FLOYD VALLEY 0 (4 innings)

MOCFV 000 0 — 0 0 1

Fort Dodge 564 x — 15 14 0

WP–Aubrey Alstott (21-1, 4 IP, 0 H, O ER, 8 SO, 0 BB); 2B–FD: Grace Nichols (2), Teryn Rippentrop, Macy Wills, Ellie Doster, Hope Alstott, Calleigh ZImmermann); HR–FD: Zimmermann; RBI–FD: Nichols (4), Zimmermann (3), Doster (2), Wills (2), Rippentrop, Aubrey Alstott; SB–FD: Meg Marsh, Maleena Meyer, Zimmermann, Rylee O’Brion; CS–FD: Meyer; HBP–FD: Hope Alstott, Aubrey Alstott.