Coaches like to dwell on pitching and defense as keys to success.

Buchanan for Buchanan and Dowagiac, Thursday was all about offense.

And there was plenty of it.

The Bucks and Chieftains split a non-conference softball doubleheader that featured a combined 27 runs and 50 hits. The two teams also combined for seven errors.

Buchanan won the opening game 6-4 as it scored a pair of runs in the top of the seventh thanks in part to three of Dowagiac errors.

Brook Krumrie opened the inning by reaching on an error and moved to second on a single by Taylor Reed. Sammi Luzadre walked to load the bases for Erica Donathen, who grounded into a fielder’s choice play allowing Krumrie to score the go-ahead run.

The Bucks added a second run on another fielder’s choice and a pair of Dowagiac errors.

Dowagiac’s Hannah Whitaker led off the bottom of the seventh with a double, but the Chieftains hit into a pair of fielder’s choice plays and Luzadre recorded the third out on a strikeout.

In the nightcap, Dowagiac used three home runs and a pair of doubles to outlast Buchanan 9-8.

In the Chieftains’ seventh inning rally, Taylor Hulett led off with a single and moved to third on a single by Kailey Fear.

Taylor Pye followed with the game-winning single to give Dowagiac the 9-8 win.

“We didn’t make a couple routine plays in the seventh inning of the first game and it cost us two runs and a win,” said Dowagiac coach Mike Behnke. “In the second game we made a great comeback after being down 4-0 and 8-4. Kailey came in and shut them down after the third inning to allow us to chip away at their lead and we played a little long ball with Mekenna, Amiyah and Taylor hitting home runs.”

The Chieftains finished with 15 hits, including home runs by Hulett, Amiyah Smith and Mekenna Gaideski. Hannah Whitaker and Fear both doubled.

Fear worked the final five innings. She did not give up a run, while allowing five hits with seven strikeouts and no walks.

The Bucks had 13 hits, which included home runs by Donathen and Megan Adkerson.

Donathen, who suffered the loss, also doubled. Jayla Bibbs added a double.

 

BUCHANAN 6-8, DOWAGIAC 4-9

At Dowagiac

First game

Buchanan      101     002     2 – 6 11 0

Dowagiac      002     020     0 – 4 11 5

Sammi Luzadre (W); Taylor Hulett (L).

2B: Luzadre (BU), Erica Donathen (BU), Morgan Lenox (BU), Hannah Whitaker (D), Shelby Jackson (D), Amiyah Smith (D).

 

Second game

Buchanan      404     000     0 – 8 13 1

Dowagiac      031     400     1 – 9 15 1

Erica Donathen (L); Megan Soderbloom, Kailey Fear (W, 5).

2B: Donathen (BU), Jayla Bibbs (BU), Hannah Whitaker (D), Kailey Fear (D).

HR: Donathen (BU), Megan Adkerson (BU), Taylor Hulett (D), Amiyah Smith (D), Mekenna Gaideski (D).

Varsity record: Dowagiac 10-5.