Dowagiac had a golden opportunity to knock off defending Division 2 state runner-up Vicksburg in Wolverine Conference softball Tuesday.

The Bulldogs came to Dowagiac without its top two pitchers available, but still came away with a sweep of the Chieftains, who continue to struggle defensively.

Vicksburg used a five-run sixth inning to win the opening game 8-2, while in the nightcap, the Bulldogs scored three runs in the first and never looked back in winning 12-2.

The sweep drops Dowagiac’s season record to 18-10.

“Not making routine plays was costly for us tonight,” said Dowagiac coach Mike Behnke. “We made some tough plays defensively, but when it mattered we couldn’t field routine ground or fly balls or make the routine throws and catches. We also left too many runners on base to beat a great team like Vicksburg. We will have to work at practice to put it all together for Paw Paw on Friday.”

The Chieftains held the Bulldogs in check for the first five innings of the opening game before a walk and an error opened the door for Vicksburg in the sixth.

Dowagiac senior Taylor Hulett had a perfect game going until she walked the lead-off batter to start the inning.

An error by Dowagiac third baseman Tiana Wares put runners at first and third.

The Chieftains appeared to be out of trouble as they turned a double play as a fly ball just into the outfield was caught by Dowagiac shortstop Amiyah Smith, who turned and threw home.

The ball was too late at the plate, but senior senior catcher Megan Soderbloom fired the ball to Wares at third base to catch Keagan Kelley trying to advance on the throw to the plate.

Raquel Rice scored on the play to make it 1-0 in favor of the Bulldogs.

Vicksburg went on to score four more runs on three singles and a double by Tailynn Knapp.

Dowagiac would responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth as Smith doubled and came around to score on Hulett’s home run.

The Bulldogs scored three more times in the seventh inning to put the game out of reach.

Hulett suffered the loss as she allowed eight runs on seventh hits with five strikeouts.

Kali Yant picked up the win for Vicksburg as she tossed a five-hitter with eight strikeouts and no walks.

Smith went 2-for-3 with a double for the Chieftains.

Dowagiac only managed two hits off of Rylie Richter in the nightcap as she struck out seven.

Hulett again suffered the loss as she worked the first three and a third innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits with a pair of strikeouts.

Kailey Fear worked the final three and two-third innings, allowing four earned runs on seven hits with two strikeouts.

Soderbloom doubled for the Chieftains, who travel to Paw Paw for another Wolverine Conference doubleheader Friday.

 

VICKSBURG 8-12, DOWAGIAC 2-2

At Dowagiac

First game

Vicksburg       000     005     3 – 8 7 0

Dowagiac        000     002     0 – 2 5 1

Kali Yant (W); Taylor Hulett (L).

2B: Tailyn Knapp (V) 2, Amiyah Smith (D).

HR: Hulett (D).

 

Second game

Vicksburg       300     002     2 – 12 13 0

Dowagiac        010     000     1 – 2 10 7

Rylie Richter (W), Taylor Hulett (L), Kailey Fear (4).

2B: Grace Stock (V), Shaidan Knapp (V), Megan Soderbloom (D).

3B: Stock (V), Carlie Kudray (V).

HR: Raquel Rice (V).