By SCOTT NOVAK
Dowagiac Daily News

BERRIEN SPRINGS – The Dowagiac varsity baseball team picked up its third victory in two days as it defeated host Berrien Springs in a non-conference affair 9-1.

After the Shamrocks had grabbed a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning, Dowagiac responded with a four-run fifth.

Brett Scanlon and Cody Cox collected back-to-back singles to get the winning rally started.

Cal Cox hit a ball out in front of the plate, which was misplayed at first base.

On the play, courtesy runner Todd McIntyre raced home and beat the throw to the plate to tie the score at 1-1.

Andrew Kurdelmeyer singled to drive in the winning run and Aaron Blaske followed with a two-run single to make it 4-1.

The Chieftains added a run in the sixth inning on a bases loaded walk to Matt Ernzen.

Dowagiac put the game away with four more runs in the seventh.

Blaske opened the inning with a single and moved up to second on a wild pitch.

Zac Hyatt then doubled him home to extend the Chieftains’ advantage to 6-1.

Following a walk to Jason Turner, Scanlon singled home a run before an error by the Berrien Springs catcher on a stolen base attempt allowed Turner to race home with the eighth run of the game.

Mike Pranschke’s sacrifice drove in the final run of the night.

Cody Cox worked the first four innings before having to leave to participate in Senior Honors Night, along with Kurdelmeyer.

Cal Cox came on to work the final three innings.

Dowagiac finished the game with nine hits including two each from Blaske, Turner and Scanlon.

Hyatt and Cal Cox both doubled for the Chieftains.

“Their pitching had us off-balance the first four innings,” Dowagiac coach Bryan Henry said. “But our hitters made the adjustment and then we hit the ball pretty well. Defensively we were solid.”

Dowagiac is back in action today as it travels to Allegan to make up a Wolverine Conference doubleheader with the Tigers.

Dowagiac 000 041 4 – 9 9 0
B. Springs 000 100 0 – 1 2 1
Cody Cox (W), Cal Cox (5) and Brett Scanlon
Garrett Schembarger (L) and Rudlaff
2B: Zac Hyatt (D), Cal Cox (D)
Varsity record
Dowagiac 14-16