What a difference a night makes.

The Dowagiac softball team struggled to put the bat on the ball in a split with Three Rivers Tuesday. Wednesday night, the Chieftains didn’t have any trouble, especially in the second game against visiting Coloma.

In the end, Dowagiac’s defense let down the Chieftains and the Comets left town with 11-0 and 23-6 wins.

“After a night of not hitting the ball at all versus Three Rivers, we came back tonight and hit one of the best pitchers in the area pretty well in the second game,” Dowagiac coach Mike Behnke said. “Our defense continues to let us down, which means we just have to work harder at practice and possibly make some changes.”

The Chieftains (3-10) were limited to just two hits in the opening game loss, which lasted just five innings.

Kristyn Turner and Amanda Craft both singled for Dowagiac.

Taylor Meiser took the loss with relief help from Tori Smith.

In the nightcap, the Chieftains banged out 10 hits, including a double and a triple from Turner, who also drove in a pair of runs.

Sierra Herter was 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs, while Craft was 2-for-4 with a double. Rachel Bailey also drove in a run.

First game

Coloma 232 31 – 11 10 0

Dowagiac 000 00 – 0 2 4

Emily Najacht (W) and K. Mitchell; Taylor Meiser (L), Tori Smith (5) and Kourtney Mitchell

2B; Jenna Faulterack (C), Najacht (C), M. Garrod (C)

HR: M. Angelo (C)

Second game

Coloma 240 007 (10) – 23 22 2

Dowagiac 001 041 0 – 6 10 7

E. Najacht (W) and K. Mitchell; Katie Ward (L), Tori Smith (6) and Kourtney Mitchell

2B: Jenna Faultersack (C), Amanda Swihart (C), Katie Scheuer (C), K. Schreier (C), Amanda Craft (D), Sierra Herter (D), Kristyn Turner (D)

3B: Kristyn Turner (D)

Varsity record

Coloma 15-2, Dowagiac 3-10