Dowagiac’s baseball team saw its comeback attempt in the seventh inning Thursday halted by a defensive play made by Lake Michigan Catholic first baseman Max Colter.

Colter’s scoop of a ball thrown in the dirt by the shortstop was the final out in an 8-7 Lakers win.

Dowagiac, which trailed 8-5 entering the bottom of the seventh, had a runner on second when the final out was made.

“We did the same thing last night (in a 5-4 loss in the second game of a doubleheader) against Lakeshore,” said first-year Dowagiac baseball coach Bob Turner. “We had chances at the end. I liked the way we stayed in it (against LMC). One of these games will go our way.”

On Wednesday, the Chieftains scored four runs in the top of the seventh before the Lancers scored a run in the bottom of the inning to win 5-4.

Dowagiac’s rally in the bottom of the seventh against Lake Michigan Catholic started with a lead off double from Cal Cox. After two outs, Austin Broda walked. Garrett Stark then singled in Cox to pull the Chieftains within 8-6. Tony Brooks pinch ran for Stark and went to second on a wild pitch. Broda stayed at third and came home after Lake Michigan Catholic catcher Aiden Collins recovered the ball and threw wildly to third base. Nate Lindsey then grounded out to the shortstop to end the game.

Because of a job obligation, Turner missed the offensive fireworks to start the game. Turner didn’t arrive at Rotary Park until the the top of the fourth inning.

The Chieftains led 5-0 after three innings. Dowagiac scored three unearned runs in the second inning. The Chieftains scored its first run off of a Lakers’ error on a bunt laid down by Lindsey. Dowagiac’s other runs came home on a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly from Hazen McMeekan.

In the third inning, the Chieftains got a two-run single from Stark, who finished the game with three hits from his No. 7 spot in the batting order.

“And he just got off the DL,” Turner said about Stark. “He hyperextended his left arm in our first game of the year against South Haven. He’s been working a lot and that started during the winter. He also worked as much as he could while he was hurt. I’m not really surprised that he was affective.”

Dowagiac was unable to hold on to its 5-0 lead as Lake Michigan Catholic did some damage with its bats and took advantage of Chieftain errors in the fourth inning. The Lakers scored eight runs on seven hits and benefited from two Dowagiac errors. Three of the runs were unearned. Thirteen players batted for the Lakers, who got a three-run double from Justin Salvano and a two-run single from Matt Ernzen.

“I did hear from a couple of guys that some of those runs weren’s earned,” Turner said. “It was 5-5 when I got here.”

Dowagiac relief pitcher Brady Froehlich prevented Lake Michigan Catholic from doing any more damage with its bats. Over three innings, Froehlich, allowed one hit and struck out two.

“He battled,” Turner said about Froehlich, who’s a sophomore. “That’s the second time he’s pitched in a varsity game. He got the win this year against Decatur. I’m really happy with his progress.”

LMC 000 800 0 – 8 9 5

Dowagiac 032 000 2 – 7 6 2

Max Colter, Joe Juza (W, 4) and Aiden Collins; Dean Klann (L, 0-2), Brody Froehlich (5) and Cal Cox

2B: Jack Marzalec (LMC), Justin Salvano (LMC) Garrett Stark (D), Cox (D)

Varsity records

LMC 3-2, Dowagiac 2-5