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DOWAGIAC — The winning ways continue for the Dowagiac softball team.

The Chieftains stretched their streak to 16 games by sweeping Decatur in a non-conference doubleheader Tuesday. The Chiefs have won six games since Saturday as they won the River Valley Raider Classic, and followed that up, with a sweep of Constantine Monday.

 

Decatur at Dowagiac

The Chieftains (23-7) defeated the Raiders 10-2 and 14-3.

In the opening game, Dowagiac broke a 2-2 tie with eight runs in the sixth inning.

The Chieftains started the rally with a walk and a single by Marlie Carpenter. One out later, Decatur committed an error that led to Dowagiac scoring a pair of runs. A dropped third strike, another walk and a two-run single by Claire Reed extended the Chieftains’ lead to 6-2.

Dowagiac scored its final two runs on an error and a single by Rebecca Guernsey.

The Chieftains had six hits in the contest, including a double from Bree Behnke that kick-started the Dowagiac offense in the fifth.

“We battled against a very tough pitcher tonight to come back and tie the game and eventually pull away,” said Dowagiac Coach Mike Behnke. “Bree had a big double to spark us in the fifth and we took off from there.”

Guernsey scattered five hits and struck out six to earn the victory.

It was all Dowagiac in the nightcap as the Chieftains scored four runs in the first, added three and two runs in the second and third innings, and then capped off the win with a five-run fifth.

Addie Wilson allowed one earned run on seven hits with three strikeouts.

“Rebecca and Addie pitched well tonight and we played pretty good defense behind them,” Behnke said. “We are playing pretty good ball and need to continue that against Bridgman on Thursday.”

The Chieftains had 11 hits in the second game. Bree Behnke was 3-for-4 with five RBIs. Guernsey had a pair of hits, while Reed, Carpenter and Olivia McIntosh all doubled. Aubrey Busby drove in five runs.

 

Raider Classic

Dowagiac defeated Eau Claire 13-2 and Cassopolis 11-0 to win the tournament hosted by River Valley.

Against the Beavers, the Chieftains built up a 10-0 lead before Eau Claire averted the shutout with a pair of runs in the fourth. Dowagiac responded with three runs in the fifth to force the game to end due to the mercy rule.

Wilson tossed a two-hitter with five strikeouts.

The Chieftains had 14 hits, including a 4-for-4 performance with a double, a home run and five RBIs from Busby. Guernsey and Carpenter both finished with three hits. Guernsey and Wilson both doubled, while Carpenter tripled.

Against the Rangers, Dowagiac used a six-run third inning to blow the game open.

The Chieftains had six hits. Bree Behnke doubled, tripled and had five RBIs. Hess added a double.