STURGIS — Visiting Dowagiac swept Sturgis 10-3 and 3-1 in a Wolverine Conference South Division doubleheader Thursday.

The Chieftains banged out 15 hits in the opening game, led by Megan Soderbloom, who was 3-for-4 with two RBIs.

Mekenna Gaideski was 2-for-5 with a double, while Taylor Pye and Shelby Jackson also had two hits.

Kailey Fear homered for the Chieftains.

Soderbloom went the distance, allowing three hits with 11 strikeouts and one walk.

In the nightcap, Dowagiac scored late to complete the sweep.

The Chieftains scored twice in the sixth and once in the seventh to account for its runs.

Fear replaced injury Taylor Hulett in the circle and tossed a one-hitter with 14 strikeouts.

“The girls really stepped up up and played well tonight,” said Dowagiac coach Mike Behnke. “We didn’t have a lot of great at bats in the second game but got some timely hits with girls on base late. Kailey Fear really stepped up with Taylor out and had a no hitter into the seventh inning.

“And the bottom of our order of Shelby Jackson, Tiana Wares, Mekenna Gaideski and Taylor Pye started some rallies and had key RBI hits. We will have to use this momentum leading into our tournament on Saturday.”

Amiyah Smith had a pair of doubles for the Chieftains, who also got a double from Soderbloom.

Dowagiac is schedule to host its annual Chieftain Invitational tournament Saturday. The first game is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.

 

DOWAGIAC 10-3, STURGIS 3-1

At Sturgis

Dowagiac        005     000     5 – 10 15 1

Sturgis            000     030     0 – 3 3 7

Megan Soderbloom (W); Baliegh Brazo (L).

2B: Mekenna Gaideski (D).

3B: Baleigh Knapp (S).

HR: Kailey Fear (D).

 

Second game

Dowagiac        000     002     1 – 3 7 1

Sturgis            000     000     1 – 1 1 0

Kailey Fear (W); Carrigan Carpenter (L).

2B: Megan Soderbloom (D), Amiyah Smith (D) 2.

HR: Baliegh Brazo (S).

Varsity record: Dowagiac 6-0, 2-0 South; Sturgis 2-4, 0-2 South.