Junior Taylor Hulett tossed a no-hitter in the opener and then earned a victory in relief as Dowagiac swept visiting Decatur 10-0 and 10-8 Tuesday.

Hulett struck out eight and walked just one in the first game, which lasted just five innings.

She then came on in relief of Megan Soderbloom in the nightcap, struck out three and walked just one. Hulett allowed one run in seven innings of work.

“Taylor Hulett pitched well tonight for us,” Dowagiac coach Mike Behnke said. “Obviously in the first game with a no-hitter, but more importantly when she came into the second game and limited the damage in the sixth inning and kept the game close so we could come back and take the lead and eventually win.”

Hulett was also 2-for-4 with an RBI and three runs scored in the opening game, while Mickie Kiggins was 2-for-3.

In the second game, Soderbloom was 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs. Hulett was 2-for-4, both doubles, with an RBI.

Hannah Whitaker was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI, while Marissa Dodd was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Amiyah Smith also doubled.

“We played a little sloppy in the second game and I think they took that we would win for granted,” Behnke said. “But when we got behind in the sixth inning I told the girls that now I will see what kind of team they are and they responded with four runs to take the lead back. We ran the bases very well and hit the ball hard but need to shore up our defense and get more consistent with the bats. That will happen at practice as we prepare for Sturgis on Thursday.”

 

DOWAGIAC 10-10, DECATUR 0-8

At Dowagiac

First Game

Decatur                      000      00 – 0 0 7

Dowagiac                   200      53 – 10 8 0

Taylor Hulett (W, 2-0) and Megan Soderbloom; Alie Copeland (L) and Ericka Makowski

 

Second Game

Decatur                      300      104      0 – 8 6 1

Dowagiac                   031      204      x – 10 15 2

Megan Soderbloom, Taylor Hulett (6, W, 3-0) and Mickie Kiggins; Alie Copeland (L) and Ericka Makowski

2B: Marissa Dodd (D), Hulett (D) 2, Soderbloom (D) 2, Hannah Whitaker (D), Amiyah Smith (D), Emily Makowski (DE), Mikayla Botti (D)

HR: Kailyn Ebeling (DE)

Varsity record: Dowagiac 3-0