BRIDGMAN — The Dowagiac softball team keeps shooting itself in the foot, according to coach Mike Behnke.

The Chieftains committed five errors and only had nine hits in a doubleheader loss to host Bridgman Thursday.

The Bees won the first game 7-5 and then completed the sweep with a 6-2 win in the nightcap.

“We are still shooting ourselves in the foot by either not making a play or making errors,” Behnke said. “I think we are a little scared right now to make plays because the girls think they may do something wrong instead of just doing what they practice every day.

“We are also not mentally tough enough to overcome mistakes. One bad thing usually leads to another right now. Once we get over being scared and get mentally tough, then we will take off as a team and start playing good softball.”

In the first game, Sierra Herter had a triple and Kristyn Turner a double. Rachel Bailey drove in a pair of runs.

Bailey had two hits for the Chieftains in the nightcap. Corinne Kasper drove in a run.

Taylor Meiser and Katie Ward suffered the losses for Dowagiac.

First game

Dowagiac 100 030 0 – 4 6 3

Bridgman 102 031 x – 7 7 1

M. Siebenmark (W) and W. Scheer; Taylor Meiser (L, 1-2) and Rachel Bailey

2B: Kristyn Turner (D)

3B: Sierra Herter (D). M. Lechenet (B), L. Lowery (B) 2

Second game

Dowagiac 000 200 0 – 2 3 2

Bridgman 101 310 x – 6 11 1

M. Siebenmark (W) and W. Scheer; Katie Ward (L, 0-4) and Rachel Bailey