By By SCOTT NOVAK
Dowagiac Daily News
Dowagiac's Kim Luthringer and Maureen Pickar helped the District 15 Big League Softball All-Stars to state championship Monday in Mattawan.
District 15 went 3-1 in the tournament which began on Saturday.
District 15 defeated District 11 (Negaunee) 10-0 in the opening round of the tournament before knocking off District 5 (Taylor), 2-0.
In the first championship game, District 15 was edged by District 5, 4-3.
In the second championship game, District 15 picked up an 8-2 victory to advance to the regional tournament in Grand Rapids.
The state championship was the third straight for District 15, which is coached by Randy Verlin.
Dowagiac ousted
The Dowagiac 11-year-old Softball All-Stars were eliminated from the state tournament in Tecumseh after going 1-2.
Dowagiac defeated District 5 (Taylor) in the opening round, 19-3, but lost to host Tecumseh (District 16) on Sunday in the second round, 21-5. Dowagiac was then edged by District 2 (South Portage), 3-2.
Tecumseh has advanced to the championship game on Thursday and awaits the winner from the consolation bracket.
West Branch (District 8) will play South Portage today at 5:30 p.m. with the winner taking on Rockford (District 9) on Wednesday.