From staff reports

DOWAGIAC – A layoff didn’t keep visiting Buchanan from sweeping Dowagiac Saturday in a non-league doubleheader.

The Bucks scored five runs in the first inning and never looked back in defeating the Chieftains 17-6.

Buchanan (14-7) completed the sweep with a 9-2 win in the afternoon at Rotary Park.
The Chieftains came out flat against Buchanan Saturday morning and promptly fell behind 5-1 after just an inning of play.

The Bucks kept up the offensive pressure and after scoring a run in the second, tacked on four runs in the third and seven runs in the fourth inning.

Buchanan added a run in the fifth and final inning.

David Sokolowski picked up the victory for the Bucks. He also had a double.

Brandon Jackson doubled for Buchanan, which outhit Dowagiac 13-7.

Mike Pranschke had a pair of hits and Cal Cox drove in two runs for the Chieftains. Jason Turner singled and drove in a run.

A five-run fourth inning broke open a close second game for the Bucks.

Bryan Kuntz earned the victory for Buchanan.

Jackson had a triple for the Bucks, who also got doubles from Tyler Powers and Dalton Shearer. Jackson finished with seven hits on the day and six RBIs.

Zac Hyatt drove in both runs for the Chieftains, who finished with just four hits.
Andrew Kurdelmeyer suffered the loss.

First game
Buchanan 514 71 – 17 15 4
Dowagiac 101 04 – 6 7 3
David Sokolowski (W) and Brandon Jackson
Aaron Blaske (L), Jason Turner, Cody Darnell and Brett Scanlon
2B: Sokolowski (B), Brandon Jackson (B)

Second game
Buchanan 120 51 – 9 9 2
Dowagiac 002 00 – 2 4 1
Bryan Kuntz (W) and Brandon Jackson
Andrew Kurdelmeyer (D), Cody Carnell and Jason Turner
2B: Powers (B), Shearer (B)
3B: Brandon Jackson (B)
Varsity record: Buchanan 14-7, Dowagiac 11-14

Brandywine at Bridgman
BRIDGMAN – The Lakeland Conference baseball chase just got a bit more interesting.

The visiting Brandywine Bobcats took a one-game lead into Friday’s make-up doubleheader with Bridgman, but came away in a virtual tie with Edwardsburg.

The Bobcats and Bees split a doubleheader that makes today’s doubleheader with the Eddies for all the marbles.

Brandywine (16-9 overall, 8-2 Lakeland) won the opening 4-3 with a run in the top of the seventh, but suffered a 3-2 setback in the nightcap.

First game
Brandywine 200    010 1 – 4 5 2
Bridgman 000 003 0 – 3 6 0
Joe Godfrey (W, 6), Dustin Bell (S, 7) and Austin Searles
Tyler Wasko (L) and Josiah Badger
2B: Kyle King (BW), Derek Nichols (BW), Jeff Jakeway (BR)

Second game
Brandywine 000    200 00 – 2 4 2
Bridgman 000 020 01 – 3 4 3
Cam Reeves (W) and J. Badger
Dustin Bell (L) and Austin Searles
2B: Josiah Badger (BR).
Varsity records: Brandywine 16-9, 8-2 Lakeland; Bridgman 14-6, 4-3 Lakeland

Coloma at Niles
The Niles Vikings raised their season record to 13-7 with a sweep of Coloma on Saturday.

The Vikings defeated the Comets 13-3 in the first game and 5-4 in the second contest.
A five-run first inning proved to be all that Niles needed in the opener. The Vikings also scored five times in the sixth.

Matthew McLaughlin was 3-for-4 with a doubles, while Kevin Gross was 2-for-4 with a triple.

John Carey and Kyle Ballge both added doubles.

Taylor Campbell picked up the victory.

In the second game, Niles scored twice in the bottom of the sixth to earn the sweep.

Riley Robson earned the win for the Vikings. He also had a triple.

Gross was 2-for-2.

First game
Coloma 012 000 – 3 6 3
Niles 501 205 – 13 9 3
Taylor Campbell (W) and John Carey
2B: Carey (N), Kyle Ballge (N), Matthew McLaughlin (N)
3B: Kevin Gross (N)

Second game
Coloma 000 301 – 4 5 1
Niles 101 102 x – 5 5 2
Riley Robson (W) and John Carey
3B: Robson (N)
Varsity record: Niles 13-7