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IAC North champion Dodgers land 9 on league\\\'s first team
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The Fort Dodge softball team steamrolled through the Iowa Alliance Conference North division, winning a regular-season title.
For their efforts, the Dodgers placed nine athletes on the first team, including unanimous selections Aubrey Alstott, Ellie Doster, Hope Alstott, Meg Marsh, Maeleena Meyer and Teryn Rippentrop. They were joined on the top squad by Calliegh Zimmermann, Grace Nichols and Macy Wills.
Sydney Carver earned a spot on the second team for the Dodgers, who went a perfect 16-0 in the conference and qualified for the Class 4A state tournament, where they placed third.
"These girls put a priority on winning the conference title – and doing it in dominant fashion each season," FDSH head coach Andi Adams said. "We accomplished that on our way to reaching several of our other goals."
Doster, a junior, led the league in home runs, belting seven in conference games only. She also hit over .600, placing her second in league action, while driving in an IAC North-leading 34 RBI. She tied for second in hits with 27.
Rippentrop, a senior, tied for first with 11 steals. Alstott, a sophomore, was first in earned run average (1.31), second in wins (eight) and second in opponent batting average (.177).
"Ellie continues to show why she is one of the best catchers and hitters in the state," Adams said. "Teryn had the kind of senior season you wish out of your players. She put in so much time and energy to improve, and that all came together for her this past season. Aubrey kept getting better and is such a strong competitor.”
Hope Alstott was first in triples (six) and second in runs scored (32). Marsh had five doubles and 15 RBI in 16 conference games as a freshman.
Zimmermann drove in 12 and had 15 runs with 18 hits. Meyer stole nine bases. Nichols drove in 25 with four home runs and five doubles.
Carver went a perfect 7-0 in IAC North play with a 1.79 earned run average.
Hope Alstott, Doster and Zimmermann made the all-tournament team at state.
"We all know what to expect out of Hope, and she just keeps improving," Adams said. "Meg, Mae, Calliegh and Grace all helped us put together a starting lineup that made it very difficult for opposing pitchers to get out. They were all so important to what we accomplished based on their own strengths and buy-in as a team.
"Aubrey and Sydney were incredible inside the circle. They threw strikes, didn't walk batters and let the defense work behind them."
Fort Dodge went 41-6 overall, closing with a win percentage of over .900 in the regular season for just the second time in program history – joining the 2021 state title squad. The Dodgers are slated to ony lose Rippentrop and Meyer to graduation in 2027.