The defensive struggles of the Dowagiac softball team reared its ugly head again in a non-conference doubleheader loss to host St. Joseph Tuesday.

The Chieftains committed 10 errors, including seven in the first game, as the Bears swept Dowagiac 9-2 and 4-1.

Dowagiac also struggled offensively after the first inning and was held to just six hits in each game.

“We lost to a very good St. Joe team tonight,” Dowagiac coach Mike Behnke said. “We gave them extra outs and they took advantage every time. After the first inning of the first game, their pitchers kept us off balance and we couldn’t figure them out.”

Amiyah Smith, Hannah Whitaker, Megan Soderbloom, Kailey Fear, Mekenna Gaideski and Shelby Jackson all singled for the Chieftains in the opening game.

Taylor Hulett took the loss as she allowed two earned runs on six hits with five strikeouts.

In the nightcap, Jackson was 2-for-3, while Soderbloom, Fear, Gaideski and Taylore Froehlich all singled.

Fear took the loss as she allowed one earned run on three hits with seven strikeouts.

Dowagiac (20-14) will wrap up the regular season at Plainwell Thursday.

The Chieftains will head to Niles for the Division 2 district tournament Saturday. Dowagiac and the Vikings open up the tournament with a 10 a.m. semifinal contest.

Edwardsburg will face Paw Paw in the second game at approximately noon with the championship game scheduled for 2 p.m.

 

ST. JOSEPH 9-4, DOWAGIAC 2-1

At St. Joseph

First game

Dowagiac       200 000 0 – 2 6 7

St. Joseph      225 001 x – 9 6 0

Taylor Hulett (L); Emily Camborn (W), Gabrielle Dilley (7).

2B: Brooke Tuthill (SJ).

 

Second game

Dowagiac 000 010 0 – 1 6 3

St. Joseph 000 301 x – 4 3 1

Kailey Fear (L);Paige Newtown (W).

2B: Kali Prillwitz (SJ).

Varsity record: Dowagiac 20-14, St. Joseph 18-12.