WEST DES MOINES — The third-ranked (Class 4A) Fort Dodge softball team claimed victory in a key early-season showdown here Saturday at the West Des Moines Valley Shootout.

The Dodgers opened play in the event with a 5-2 victory over No. 7 (4A) Dallas Center-Grimes, before fighting past Urbandale, 4-3.

Fort Dodge and DC-G were scheduled to meet last month, but weather caused the game to be canceled. Last year, the Mustangs topped the Dodgers by a final of 6-3.

Behind a four-run third, Fort Dodge (8-1 overall) would take control of the contest, providing junior ace Lucy Porter all the support she would need.

Porter struck out six over six innings, allowing just six hits with one walk.

“Lucy really locked in and our defense was strong behind her,” FDSH head coach Andi Adams said. “We put together some good at-bats and were able to manufacture runs.”

Freshman Ellie Doster drove in two while senior Macy Brown was 2-for-2 with a double and an RBI. Hope Alstott and Meah McCaleb both had a hit and scored a run.

The Dodgers would win the game vs. the J-Hawks in the sixth, as Maddie Hoshaw would score on an error to begin the inning with the international tiebreaker in play.

Porter earned her second win of the day as senior Mackenzie McIlrath and eighth-grader Aubrey Alstott each drove in a run. Hope Alstott had a hit and scored while McCaleb and McIlrath both scored a run.

“This was a great day against two very strong teams,” Adams said. “We continue to learn and improve each time we take the field.”

Fort Dodge returns to action Monday when they host Sioux City West at 7 p.m.