By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
COMSTOCK - A six-run sixth inning propelled Dowagiac into the Division 2 Regional Softball Tournament championship game on Saturday.
The Chieftains, who were looking for their second regional title in school history, were unable to break through against a pesky Gull Lake squad in the second game.
Host Comstock had already advanced to the title game with an 8-0 victory over Three Rivers.
While Gull lake (22-18) never threatened to score against senior hurler Brittney Reist (17-2), Dowagiac was unable to mount much of an offensive threat until the sixth inning.
A single by junior second baseman Amy Wood sparked the Chieftains, who went on to score seven runs on six hits off a pair of Gull Lake pitchers.
The big blow was a two-run double by junior outfielder Ashley Willis.
Dowagiac also got a run-scoring double from junior first baseman Lindsay Tyler and run-scoring singles from senior catcher Mandy Parish and junior outfielder Kim Luthringer.
Wood was 2-for-3 with an RBI to lead Dowagiac offensively.
Reist worked the first six innings, striking out seven and walking three. She did not allow a hit.
Willis worked the final inning, striking out one, walking one and giving up one hit.
Dowagiac coach Mike Behnke was more than pleased with his senior pitcher on Saturday.
Semifinals
Gull Lake 000 000 0 - 0 1 0
Dowagiac 000 007 x - 7 6 0
Brittney Reist (W, 16-2), Erin Goebel (L)
2B: Ashley Willis (D), Lindsay Tyler (D)
Varsity record: 33-4