Things are starting to come together for the Dowagiac softball team just in time to take on defending state runner-up Vicksburg in a big Wolverine Conference doubleheader Tuesday.

The Chieftains will come into Tuesday’s showdown with the Bulldogs having won five straight games dating back to the second game against Three Rivers May 9.

Dowagiac swept a pair of non-conference games from host Brandywine Thursday, winning 10-0 and 12-3.

Taylor Hulett tossed a no-hitter with five strikeouts in the opening game and hit a pair of home runs in the nightcap.

Megan Soderbloom had a pair of doubles for the Chieftains in the first game against the Bobcats.

Kailey Fear scattered six hits in the second game and struck out 10 in earning the victory.

Hulett, Hannah Whitaker, Soderbloom and Mekenna Gaideski all had two hits for the Chieftains in the nightcap.

“We had some hot bats tonight. Every player had at least one hit tonight but one and she got on base the two times she batted,” said Dowagiac coach Mike Behnke. “Our defense improved from Tuesday but still needs to get better as we prepare for these final couple of weeks before districts.”

On Friday, the Chieftains swept visiting Allegan in a Wolverine Conference doubleheader, winning 13-0 and 11-1.

“We continued to hit the ball well tonight (Friday) up and down the line up and play solid defense,” Behnke said. “We also got good pitching from Taylor and Meghan. We will need all three on Tuesday when we take on last year’s state runner up in Vicksburg.”

Hulett tossed a one-hitter for Dowagiac in the first game against the Tigers with eight strikeouts and no walks.

The Chieftains (18-8) finished with 12 hits, including doubles by Fear, Hulett, Soderbloom and Hannah Whitaker.

Amiyah Smith homered for Dowagiac.

In the second game, Soderbloom, tossed a four-hitter with five strikeouts.

Taylor Pye had a pair of doubles to lead the Chieftain offense. Hulett homered and Chelsea Dorton tripled.

 

DOWAGIAC 10-12, BRANDYWINE 0-3

At Niles

First game

Dowagiac       510      40 – 10 11 1

Brandywine   000      00 – 0 0 1

Taylor Hulett (W); Delani Nelson (L).

2B: Hulett (D), Megan Soderbloom (D) 2.

Second game

Dowagiac       062      001      3 – 12 13 1

Brandywine   002      010      0 – 3 6 3

Kailey Fear (W); Kennedy Byrd (L).

2B: Mekenna Gaideski (D).

HR: Taylor Hulett (D) 2.

 

DOWAGIAC 13-11, ALLEGAN 0-1

At Dowagiac

First game

Allegan          000      00 – 0 1 4

Dowagiac       174      1x – 13 12 1

Arianna Davis (L); Taylor Hulett (W).

2B: Kailey Fear (D), Hulett (D), Megan Soderbloom (D), Hannah Whitaker (D).

HR: Amiyah Smith (D).

 

Second game

Allegan          001      000 – 1 4 6

Dowagiac       522      101 – 11 17 1

Jordyn Maka (L); Megan Soderbloom (W).

2B: Taylor Hulett (D), Taylor Pye (D) 2.

3B: Chelsea Dorton (D).

Varsity records: Dowagiac 18-8.