DOWAGIAC — The Dowagiac softball team snapped a 10-game losing streak with a sweep of Berrien Springs Thursday afternoon.

The Chieftains turned their losing streak into a four-game winning streak as they swept Plainwell in Wolverine Conference play Friday afternoon.

Veteran Dowagiac coach Mike Behnke challenged his team on Wednesday to show some heart and pride in wearing the Chieftain uniform.

And despite getting off to a rocky start against the Shamrocks, the team did just that in rallying from a five-run deficit in the first inning.

“The girls took a big step to turning around their season last night,” Behnke said. “We made four errors in the first inning and gave up five unearned runs, but the girls didn’t drop their heads.”

Behind the pitching of freshman Sierra Carpenter, the Chieftains were able to shut down Berrien Springs after the first inning and pull out the 7-5 victory.

Carpenter scattered five hits and did not allow a run after the first frame.

“Sierra settled in and pretty much dominated Berrien the last six innings and we got some timely hits and good base running to come back and get the victory,” Behnke said. “Amiyah’s (Smith) home run to lead off the bottom of the first was a big lift after giving up those five unearned runs.”

Smith finished with a home run and a double for Dowagiac, which finished with six hits, including doubles by Jessie Hulett and Maddie Stockwell.

Hulett backed that up with a strong pitching performance in the nightcap for the Chieftains, who defeated the Shamrocks 4-3.

Hulett scattered nine hits and allowed just three runs.

“Our strong defense and pitching continued in the second game as Jessie threw a great ball game,” Behnke said. “And we got some timely hits again.”

Dowagiac had just six hits in the second game, including a double by Greta Whitaker.

The Chieftains headed to Plainwell the following afternoon with plenty of confidence after snapping their losing streak.

Dowagiac sept the Trojans 6-4 and 15-14.

Carpenter was the winning pitcher in the first game as she gave up single runs in the first three innings and then shut down Plainwell the final four frames.

Dowagiac had nine hits in the first game, including a pair of doubles by Smith. Carpenter also doubled, while Anna Dobberstein and Taylor Pye both tripled.

In the nightcap, Hulett picked up the win.

The Chieftains had 15 runs on 15 hits.

Whitaker had a pair of doubles for Dowagiac, which also got doubles from Mekenna Gaideski and Pye.

Carpenter had a pair of home runs.

Dowagiac heads to Watervliet for a non-league doubleheader Tuesday. The first game is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.