UNRELENTING
Dodgers overwhelm Clippers in class 4A opener
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There were some early nerves in Fort Dodge's return to the state tournament, but nobody in the Dodger dugout hit the panic button once.
FDSH gave up two runs in the opening inning, but the third-ranked and third-seeded Dodgers (39-4 overall) didn't flinch, buckling down and advancing with a 12-2 four inning win over sixth-seed Clear Creek-Amana (31-12).
The Dodgers will now square off with second-seeded Carlisle (34-5) on Tuesday at 5 p.m. on Channel Seeds Field.
"This group is never worried about tough situations," Adams said. "We came in on a mission. We got here early and kind of walked around so that they would be ready. I wanted them to enjoy this and have some fun.
"But I also wanted them to play with the grit, focus and determination they have all year. They did exactly that."
The Dodgers, who missed the state tournament in 2025 after seven straight trips, weren't about to let this opportunity pass them by. Sophomore pitcher Aubrey Alstott (23-1) struggled some in the opening frame, walking three batters. Carley Nash had the big hit -- the only hit of the ball game for CC-A -- to drive in a run. Elizabeth Timmerman and Kyla Schulte scored for the Clippers.
From there, it was all FDSH.
"When Aubrey came back into the dugout, all I said was, 'well, we got that out of the way,'" Adams said. "I wanted her to stay calm and do what she does.
"(Catcher) Ellie (Doster) did a great job commanding the pitches and smoothing things out. They have a fantastic relationship."
Alstott and the Dodger offense took care of the rest. This marked the 26th time Fort Dodge has scored in double figures, and its 20th double-digit victory of the year.
"We talked and (Doster) motivated me and helped me settle down. I knew I had to hit my spots," Alstott said. "After I got the strikeout to end the (first) inning (with two runners in scoring position), I felt relief and kind of exhaled."
Adams stuck with Alstott through the minor hiccup.
"We had Sydney (Carver) in the bullpen ready to go, but that also motivated Aubrey as she wants the ball and doesn't want to come out of the game," Adams said.
Doster calmed the tense situation, and the tide quickly turned.
"I went out there just to give her time," Doster said. "We weren't worried about it, because it was only two runs. We knew we could support when we got to the plate."
It's been a masterful postseason for Alstott, who threw a perfect game against MOC-Floyd Valley in the regional semifinal and no-hitter against Sioux City Heelan in the regional final.
"We pick each other up," Doster said. "I had a pop up at second, but a run scored. So I look at it, it doesn't matter how I did whether I got a hit or not…we were able to get a run in for the team.
"We have bigger things on our mind. We just need to take it one game at a time and get to where we want to be."
Fort Dodge plated four runs of its own in the first, giving Alstott the run support she needed. Alstott didn't allow a hit the rest of the way, setting the side down in order in the second and allowing only two more base runners.
"I knew we would be able to get some runs. That's what we do for each other," Alstott said. "It felt good to be able to help the team at the plate and get us going."
Alstott, a quiet threat from the No. 7 spot the lineup with a .394 average, helped her own cause by going 3-for-3 with three RBI.
The Dodgers finished with 12 hits. Senior centerfielder Teryn Rippentrop went 3-for-3 with three runs scored and three steals -- a mark that tied a single-game record for Class 4A. Most recently, it had been accomplished in 2023 by FDSH graduate Ashlyn Wills.
The Dodgers swiped six bases as a squad.
Doster, freshman Macy Wills and junior Calliegh Zimmermann had two RBI each. Grace Nichols and Emersyn Lara both drove in a run.
Hope Alstott and Maeleena Meyer scored two runs each. Brooklyn Gilliland and Zimmermann crossed home as well.
Clear Creek-Amana will now face No. 7 North Polk (20-17) at 2:45 p.m. on Channel Seeds Field on Tuesday.
FORT DODGE 12, CLEAR CREEK-AMANA 2
CC-Amana 200 0 -- 2 1 1
Fort Dodge 440 4 -- 12 12 1
WP--Aubrey Alstott (23-1, 4 IP, 1 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 4 SO); LOB--CC-A 4, Fort Dodge 5; HBP--FD: Macy Wills, Grace Nichols; SACF--FD: Meg Marsh, Ellie Doster; SACB--CC-A: Brenna Williams; FD: Macy Wills; SB--CC-A: Malea Hollenbeck, Kyla Schulte; FD: Teryn Rippentrop (3), Brooklyn Gilliland, Maeleena Meyer, Hope Alstott; RBI--CC-A: Carley Nash; FD: Aubrey Alstott (3), Ellie Doster (2), Macy Wills (2), Calliegh Zimmerman (2), Grace Nichols, Meg Marsh, Emersyn Lara.