Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Fort Dodge's Meah McCaleb slides safely into second base on Wednesday against Des Moines East. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

Softball is a game of adjustments and after a listless opener on Wednesday during a home doubleheader against Des Moines East, the Dodgers did exactly that in the nightcap.

The third-ranked Dodgers (4-1 overall) squeaked out a 3-0 victory in the first contest, but got more aggressive in the nightcap for a 10-0, five inning win over the Scarlets (1-8).

“We did what we needed to do to get two wins,” said FDSH head coach Andi Adams, who now sits at 798 career victories. “The games won’t get any easier, so we have to keep improving and find a way to be better and more consistent at the plate.”

Fort Dodge changed its approach at the plate in the second contest, and the moves paid dividends.

“We are still looking to find (collective) confidence at the plate,” Adams said. “We can’t second-guess ourselves, but then swing at bad pitches.”

The Dodgers plated three runs in the first inning of the second affair, and took a four-run lead after two.

A four-hit, four-run fourth and two more in the fifth ended the contest early.

The change in approach resulted in eight hits in the second contest, versus four in the opener.

Junior Lucy Porter was perfect at the plate in three appearances, driving in courtesy runner Maddie Hoshaw and Mackenzie McIlrath in the first inning.

Freshman Ellie Doster was 2-for-3 with a double and four RBI, while classmate Hope Alstott went 2-for-3 with a double.

Eighth-grader Aubrey Alstott (2-0) earned the win in the nightcap. She fanned two batters and allowed only three hits.

Porter (3-1) allowed four hits, while striking out five in the first tilt — also a shutout triumph.

“We made some big plays when we needed to,” Adams said. “We have to keep putting pressure on (opposing defenses). If we put the ball in play, they have to execute over and over again.”

The Dodgers cashed in on two errors by the Scarlets in the third inning of the opener. Junior Meah McCaleb touched home plate after an error, and Hoshaw scored on an RBI single from senior Macy Brown.

The last Dodger run was McIlrath scoring on another Scarlet error.

Brown had two hits. Porter and Alstott had the other two.

Fort Dodge is back in action on Thursday at Mason City. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. of the varsity doubleheader.

FORT DODGE 3, DES MOINES EAST 0

DM East 000 000 0 — 0 4 3

Fort Dodge 003 000 x — 3 4 0

WP–Lucy Porter (3-1), 7IP, 4H, 5SO, 0BB); 2B–DME: Mo Purdy.

FORT DODGE 10, DES MOINES EAST 0

DM East 000 00 — 0 3 3

Fort Dodge 310 42 — 10 8 0

WP–Aubrey Alstott (2-0), 5IP, 3H, 2SO, 1BB; 2B–DME: Maya Hernandez-Howard; FD: Hope Alstott, Ellie Doster.