The Dowagiac softball team was in need of a sweep Wednesday afternoon against visiting Comstock and that’s exactly what the Chieftains got.

But it wasn’t easy.

Dowagiac scored a pair of single runs in the third and fourth innings to edge the Colts 2-1 in the opening game.

Dowagiac then scored six of its eight runs in the first two innings to win the nightcap 8-3.
The sweep lifted the Chieftains to 8-10 overall and squared their Wolverine Conference mark at 4-4.

“It had been over a week since we last played and I thought we might come out a little sluggish versus Comstock and our bats definately did,” Dowagiac coach Mike Behnke said. “We played pretty good defense and Tara (Sova) pitched well and we got the hits when we needed to win.

“In the second game our bats came alive and we played well defensively and Miranda (East) pitched well. We will need more of that to continue winning games,” he added.

Sova was 1-for-2 with a double and an RBI, while she also was the winning pitcher as she tossed a four-hitter with five strikeouts.

Dowagiac also got hits from Devon Ownby, East and Rachael Bailey.

In the second game, senior Torie Lowe had another big night as she was 4-for-5 with a double, two triples and five RBIs.

Katie Lorenz went 3-for-4 with a double and three runs scored, while Ownby was 2-for-4 with an RBi and Sova added a double.

Sierra Herter and Kristyn Turner also had hits for the Chieftains.

East went the distance, allowing three runs on five hits with seven strikeouts.

She did not walk a batter.

Dowagiac and Comstock were making up a game from Tuesday.

The Chieftains are back in action on Friday as they host Plainwell in a Wolverine Conference doubleheader.

First game
Comstock 000 100 0 – 1 4 1
Dowagiac 001 100 x – 2 4 2
Tara Sova (W, 4-5) and Torie Lowe
Trisha Clements (L) and Brittany Fowler
2B: Sova (D), Tara Hanson (C)

Second game
Dowagiac 240 020 0 – 8 12 2
Comstock 001 002 0 – 3 5 2
Miranda East (W, 4-5) and Torie Lowe
Trisha Clements (L) and Brittany Fowler
2B: Tara Sova (D), Katie Lorenz (D), Lowe (D), Tara Hanson (C)
3B: Lowe (D) 2
Varsity record: Dowagiac 8-10, 4-4 Wolverine