The goal for every softball team in the state of Iowa is to go play for a championship in Fort Dodge. It’s been 16 years in the making for the Riverside Bulldogs as they have qualified for the state tournament for the first time since 2009. A group of girls who have been to state competitions in other sports and Head Coach Laci Patterson believes that is giving her team a calmer approach.

Riverside enters the state tournament at 24-3 and riding a 10-game win streak. Within the win streak, Bulldog pitching has limited their opponents to one run or less in five contests. Freshman Peyton Schafer has shined this season in the circle with a 2.22 earned run average earning Patterson’s trust in the biggest moments.

Dominant pitching certainly helps a team’s chances to get to the state tournament, but the offense has slugged all season and currently hitting .383 as a group. Patterson believes the run scoring eases the pressure on Schafer.

Riverside has five everyday starters hitting over .400. Team chemistry has been a major theme for Riverside as they have put out the same exact lineup in 26 of their 27 games this year including their only senior Elly Henderson.

When a Riverside team succeeds, the community comes around to support the Bulldogs.

Within Riverside’s 27 game this season they have played 16 non-conference games. Although, The Bulldogs haven’t played Newell-Fonda and only a few mutual opponents between the two, that isn’t such a bad thing according to Patterson.

Riverside and Newell-Fonda are set to battle at 5:15 PM central time in Fort Dodge Tuesday night. KJAN AM 1220/FM 101.1 will have live coverage beginning at 4:45 P.M.