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CONSTANTINE — Dowagiac softball coach Mike Behnke winced slightly when questioned about the Chieftains’ 14-game winning streak.

Although pleased with Monday’s non-conference doubleheader sweep at Constantine 15-0 and 20-8, both games were called after five innings on the 10-run mercy rule, Dowagiac’s skipper knows his ball club has much to improve on before the postseason begins next week.

Offensively, Dowagiac’s head coach admits he is pleased with how well his Lady Chieftains, now 21-7 overall, have been swinging the bats as of late.

Dowagiac pounded out a total of 18 hits in the opener and added 16 in the nightcap.

“I thought in both games we got great contributions 1-9 in our lineup. They got base hits and drove the ball hard,” Dowagiac’s coach said. “Our three, four and five hitters (Aubrey, Marlie and Bree) do what they are supposed to do after the top of our lineup gets on base. Defensively we became a little lackadaisical in the second game and we and didn’t field some ground balls. Our pitcher got a little tired. That’s to be expected in this warmer weather, but we have to try and do a little better job with that going forward. Overall, we played pretty well to come away with a couple of W’s and I’ll take that.

“I think we are definitely playing our best softball of the season now. Our underclassmen have grown up a lot and are playing better. Now we just have to continue that into next week.”

The Chieftains came out on fire in the opener, scoring five times in the top of the first. Marlie Carpenter, Bree Behnke and Claire Hess all belted RBI singles for Dowagiac. Ella Parker reached base on an error and was credited with two RBI, putting the visitors up 5-0.

Scoring in the frame for Dowagiac were Charleigh Reed, Carpenter, Behnke, Damia Brooks and Hess.

Carpenter added a RBI double in the second to score Rebecca Guernsey. Aubrey Busby scored for the Chieftains on Behnke’s groundout to first. Hess singled home Carpenter to make it 8-0 Dowagiac after the second inning.

Carpenter doubled home Olivia McIntosh in the third and Guernsey later scored on a Constantine error.

The Chieftains would erupt for its final five in the fourth. Parker reached safely and courtesy runner Brooks later came around to score on a Constantine error. Busby laced a two-run double that plated Guernsey and Addie Wilson. Carpenter delivered a two-run single to score Tati Lara and Busby.

Guernsey struck out four in the victory for Dowagiac and allowed seven hits.

Constantine’s Taya Wokryer suffered the loss in the circle giving up 18 hits and 10 earned runs.

The nightcap saw Dowagiac grab a 10-0 lead after just a half inning. Busby’s two-run double plated

McIntosh and Guernsey. C. Spagnoli’s two-run single scored Lara and Behnke. Busby scored on a walk to E. Henry. Henry ended up scoring on a Falcons’ error. McIntosh added a two-run double to plate Spagnoli and Reed. Carpenter added a run-scoring single that drove home Guernsey. Carpenter also stole home to score.

Constantine had its most productive inning in the bottom half of the first when it scored seven runs. Olivia Ransbottom had a two-run double for the Falcons, while Aubrea Good added a two-run single. Raeann Michalek scored on an error for the Falcons. Wokryer and Olivia Herlein both  scored on a Dowagiac error.

Dowagiac increased its lead to 15-7 with a five-run second. Hess scored on a passed ball. Wilson belted a RBI single to score Henry. Guernsey added a run-scoring double to plate Reed. Busby’s two-run double drove home McIntosh and Guernsey.

Dowagiac would add three runs in the third. Wilson’s RBI double scored Guernsey added an RBI single to highlight the frame.

The Chieftains added two more markers in the fourth. Carpenter was hit by a pitch and later score after Behnke reached base on an error. Henry’s sacrifice-fly to centerfield scored Behnke.

Constantine scored its final run in the fourth. Wokryer’s RBI single scored Michalek.

Dowagiac capitalized on a total of six errors committed by Constantine in the nightcap.

Wilson recorded the win for Dowagiac in game two, allowing 10 hits, four walks with one strikeout.

Constantine’s Kaitlyn Ross was charged with the loss. Ross had five walks and two strikeouts.