DOWAGIAC — The Dowagiac softball team will enter the state tournament with a 15-19 overall record after being swept by SMAC West Division champion St. Joseph Thursday.

Despite losing 10-9 and 14-4, Dowagiac coach Mike Behnke was pleased with his team’s effort.

“We put up a good fight against the SMAC Conference champs, but in the end made too many elementary mistakes to win,” he said. “It was nice to see the girls not give up and rally from four down in the seventh to tie, but baserunning mistakes cost us more runs. In the second game, we just couldn’t get our bats going and St. Joe did.” 

The games against the Bears were the perfect tune-up for the Chieftains, who host Benton Harbor in the Division 2 pre-district contest at 4:30 p.m. today.

The winner advances to Saturday’s district semifinal at South Haven against the host Rams at 10 a.m.

Lakeshore and Edwardsburg square off today in the other pre-district contest at Stevensville.

The winner advances to face Niles at approximately 12:30 p.m. in the other semifinals.

The championship game is set to begin at approximately 2 p.m.

“Now all records are thrown out and it is win or go home with districts starting next week,” Behnke said.

Against the Bears, Dowagiac had five errors in the opening game and seven in the nightcap.

The Chieftains did manage to collect 12 hits, including two each from Amiyah Smith, Jessie Hulett, Sierra Carpenter and Calley Ruff.

Hulett doubled twice and drove in three runs, while Smith had a double and two RBIs.

Carpenter took the loss as she allowed 12 hits and five earned runs.

In the nightcap, Dowagiac had only five hits.

Smith was 2-for-4, while Mona Arana and Maddie Stockwell both doubled.

Hulett worked the first five innings, allowing eight hits and five earned runs. Smith pitched the final two-thirds of the fifth inning.