By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
STEVENSVILLE - Visiting Dowagiac extended its winning streak to six games Tuesday afternoon with a sweep of Lakeshore in the Big 16 Conference West Division opener for both schools.
The Chieftains scored four runs in the top of the sixth in the opening game to take a 5-2 victory over the Lancers, who fall to 0-8 under first-year coach Mark Nate.
In the nightcap, Dowagiac scored three runs in the second inning and two more in the seventh to earn a 5-1 victory over Lakeshore.
Chieftains' sophomore Jake Cox (3-0) pitched a gem of a first game as he scattered five hits and struck out three.
In the nightcap, sophomore Jason Fryman (4-2) got the nod and tossed a one-hitter with four strikeouts.
Dowagiac (9-4 overall, 2-0 Big 16 West Division) grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning only to see the Lancers rally to take a 2-1 advantage in the bottom of the fifth.
The Chieftains then exploded for four runs in the sixth and then turned the game over to Cox and the Dowagiac defense - both of whom delivered.
Dowagiac finished the game with 11 hits.
The Chieftains have made a habit out of collecting 10-plus hit games this season.
Jordan Huey went 3-for-4 for the Chieftains with three RBIs. Jamie Simpson, despite playing on a hyper extended knee, went 2-for-3. David Stuppy, nephew of Nate, added an RBI double.
In the nightcap, Dowagiac built up a 3-0 lead before Lakeshore scored its lone run in the bottom of the fourth.
The Chieftains had eight hits in the second game, led by Stuppy, who was 2-for-3. Kyle Prak went 2-for-4.
Brandon Simmons, who drove in a run in the first game, collected an RBI triple.
The Chieftains take the rest of the week off before returning to action on Tuesday when it hosts Benton Harbor in another Big 16 West Division doubleheader.
The first game at Rotary Park is slated to begin at 4 p.m. This will be the second game at Rotary Park this season for the Chieftains, who opened their home schedule at Russom Fields due to dugout construction.
First game
Dowagiac 000 014 0 - 5 11 2
Lakeshore 000 020 0 - 2 5 2
Jake Cox (W, 3-0), Nick Wheeler (L)
2B: David Stuppy (D)
Second game
Dowagiac 030 000 2 - 5 8 5
Lakeshore 000 100 0 - 1 3 3
Jason Fryman (W, 4-2), Corey Bartz (L)
3B: Brandon Simmons
Records
Dowagiac 9-4, 2-0 Big 16 West; Lakeshore 0-8