ALLEGAN – A much-needed sweep of host Allegan has the Dowagiac softball team primed for a big week in Wolverine Conference play.

The Chieftains defeated the Tigers 18-4 and 13-3 to improve to 5-16 Friday.

Katie Ward tossed a four-hitter in the opening game for Dowagiac.

The Chieftains scored 13 runs in the sixth inning to blow the game wide open.

Dowagiac finished with 14 hits, including two each by Amanda Craft, Kristyn Turner, Kourtney Mitchell, Corinne Kasper and Jessica Herthoge. Turner tripled and drove in two runs, while Craft, Kasper and Rachel Bailey, who also tripled, also drove in two runs.

Mitchell picked up three RBIs. Taylor Meiser and Shelby Huson also had two RBI each.

Tori Smith and Meiser combined on a three-hitter in the nightcap for the Chieftains.

Dowagiac had 10 more hits in the contest, led by Huston who was 3-for-3 with a double and two RBI.

The Chieftains also got two hits from Herthoge. Herthoge, Craft and Sierra Herter all picked up RBIs.

“It was nice to get two wins tonight and to see our bats come alive.” Dowagiac coach Mike Behke said. “We have faced some of the top pitchers in the state here lately and been held in check, so this went a long way to regaining our confidence.

“It was also nice to get a lot of production out of the bottom of our order in Shelby and Jessica. In fact, Jessica didn’t make an out all night. We need to take these wins and confidence and ride them into next week against Comstock and Plainwell.”

First game

Dowagiac 011 03(13) – 18 14 3

Allegan 101 020 – 4 4 0

Katie Ward (W) and Kourtney Mitchell; Taylor Maka (L), Carrie Campbell and Taylor Peabody

2B: Blair Arthur (A), Peabody (A)

3B: Kristyn Turner (D), Rachel Bailey (D)

Second game

Allegan 100 011 0 – 3 3 3

Dowagiac 120 402 4 – 13 10 2

Tori Smith (W), Taylor Meiser and Kourtney Mitchell; Taylor Maka (L) and Taylor Peabody

2B: Maka (A), ShelbyHuston (D)

Record

Dowagiac 5-16