DOWAGIAC — After taking the week off for spring break, the Dowagiac sports teams will have a hectic week upon their return.

The week will culminate with the annual Chieftain Invitational for the Dowagiac softball and soccer teams on Saturday, April 14.

While there were no sports scheduled for April 9, the day teams returned from break, the Chieftain track, golf and softball teams will be in action the following day.

Dowagiac will host a Wolverine Conference quad meet in track beginning at 4 p.m., while the golf team will open its season in Vicksburg at Angle’s Crossing.

The first Wolverine Conference Jamboree is set to begin at 4 p.m.

Dowagiac softball will also be on the road as it travels to Berrien Springs for a non-league doubleheader with the Shamrocks, slated to start at 4:15 p.m.

The Chieftain tennis team kicks off its season by hosting South Haven at 4 p.m. at the middle school courts, while the golf team is back on the road, this time at Heritage Glen Golf Club as Paw Paw hosts the next league jamboree at 4 p.m.

Dowagiac’s baseball team will open up the home portion of its 2018 schedule by hosting Marcellus at Rotary Park in a non-league contest that is set to begin at 4:30 p.m.

Baseball, softball and golf are all in action on April 12.

Baseball and softball will host Sturgis in Wolverine Conference South Division doubleheaders beginning at 4 p.m. The Chieftain golf team will be at Niles for its annual quad at Orchard Hills Country Club.

Play is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.

Dowagiac tennis will travel to St. Joseph to take on Lake Michigan Catholic at the South Shore Racquet Club beginning at 4:30 p.m. April 13.

While the softball and soccer teams will host tournaments, the Chieftain baseball team will travel to Mishawaka to compete in the Brandywine round robin at Bethel College.

Dowagiac’s track teams compete in the annual Lions Invitational hosted by Paw Paw beginning at 9 a.m.

Niles tennis returns to the court Tuesday as it hosts Kalamazoo Loy Norrix, while the Vikings’ softball team hosted Buchanan in the season opener for both schools.

Niles baseball will host Mishawaka Marian in its season opener, while the Vikings’ soccer team travels to Edwardsburg to face the Eddies.

Brandywine baseball returns to action Tuesday as it hosts Constantine, while the Bobcat tennis team hosts Schoolcraft in a non-league match at Plym Park.

Buchanan soccer hosts Lake Michigan Catholic in its second match of the week.

Niles track will kick off the 2018 season by hosting Portage Central in a SMAC West Division meet Tuesday.

Wednesday’s highlights include the division golf openers for Niles and Brandywine.

The Vikings travel to Kalamazoo to play at The Moors, while Brandywine will travel to Three Oaks to play at Chickaming Golf Club.

Brandywine will host Buchanan, Berrien Springs and Bridgman Wednesday in its track opener.

On Thursday, Niles golf will host Dowagiac, Cassopolis and Buchanan in its annual quad at Orchard Hills Country Club.

Also on Thursday, Brandywine tennis will host Bridgman in its BCS Athletic Conference opener at Plym Park.

Friday’s action will find Niles track at Marshall for an invitational and Buchanan track at Marcellus for an invitational.

Brandywine and Niles soccer are also in action with the Bobcats hosting Lawrence and the Vikings traveling to Mattawan.

On Saturday, the Niles baseball team will compete in the West Ottawa Invitational.

The Vikings will face Hamilton in the opening game at 9 a.m.

Also competing in the tournament are West Ottawa, Holland, Zeeland East, Grand Haven, Byron Center and Allendale.

Brandywine tennis will host its annual Bobcat Classic at Plym Park and the softball team will host Allegan.

 

Chieftain Invitational

The Chieftains will host Watervliet, Kalamazoo Central, Elkhart Memorial, Paw Paw, Bridgman, Niles and Hartford in the softball portion of the invitational, which begins at 10 a.m.

Dowagiac will be in the Orange Pool with Watervliet, Kalamazoo Central and Elkhart Memorial.

Niles will be in the Black Pool with Bridgman, Paw Paw and Hartford.

“Happy to be hosting a great tournament again,” said Dowagiac coach Mike Behnke. “Excited to see how we compete against some pretty good teams. We are inexperienced at quite a few positions so I’m eager to see how the girls perform.”

In soccer, the Chieftains will play a round robin against Cassopolis and Coloma.

Dowagiac and the Rangers will kick things off at 10 a.m.

“The Chieftain Invitational is a great time for the girls to be on display for our local community,” said Dowagiac coach Chad Davis. “The Lady Chieftains are excited to play good competition in the invitational. Cassopolis and Coloma should be a great match for us. We played both of them very tough last year. I encourage everyone to come check out our young talented team.”

Coloma will then take on Cassopolis at 11:30 a.m. and the tournament will wrap up with the Chieftains facing the Comets at 1 p.m.

Port-a-Pit chicken will be available for purchase during the tournament.