DOWAGIAC — It seems to be the little things that are keeping the Dowagiac baseball team from enjoying more success this season.

When the Chieftains do all those little things correctly, the result is a win over Wolverine Conference foe Allegan Friday night.

When Dowagiac struggles with those things, the results are a sweep by Buchanan at the Bryan Frazier Memorial on Saturday.

“It is similar to last year,” said Dowagiac coach Keith Schreiber.  “We play up and down early and we are just trying to get to that high level.”

The difference between last year and the current Chieftain team is they put it all together and had an 11-game winning streak.

Dowagiac is just 5-12 so far this season.

“I felt last year the guys worked hard at believing in the process. This group is farther away.”

The Chieftains have shown flashes this season, like Friday night when they defeated the Tigers 3-1 in the first game and were leading 7-5 in the second game when it was called due to darkness.

Hunter Brackensick scattered five hits, struck out 10 and did not give up a walk in earning the victory.

Despite having just six hits, the team scratched out three runs for the victory.

Unfortunately on Saturday, the Bucks (9-4) were able to shut down the Chieftains, winning 13-2 and 7-1.