The Dowagiac softball team will play host to six schools for the annual Chieftain Invitational Saturday.

Joining the Chieftains will be Niles, Berrien Springs, Fennville, Hartford and Mishawaka Marian.

Last year, the host Chieftains were 1-2.

Dowagiac defeated Hartford in its first game, but lost to No. 1-ranked (Indiana Class 3A) Marian 18-3 and to Berrien Springs 8-7.

Niles was also 1-2 in 2012, losing to White Lake-Lakeland 7-2, beating Kalamazoo Central 16-1 and falling to Dundee 11-0.

Dowagiac, Niles and Berrien Springs will be in the Orange Pool, while Marian, Hartford and Fennville will be in the Black Pool.

Three fields will be used for the tournament — Dowagiac Union High School field, Union High JV field and Dowagiac Rotary Park.

In the opening round, Dowagiac will face Hartford at the high school field, Marian will take on Berrien Springs at the JV field and Niles will face Fennville at Rotary Park. All games begin at 10:30 a.m.

In the second round, beginning at approximately 12:30 p.m., Dowagiac will face Marian at the high school field, the Shamrocks will take on Fennville at the JV field and the Vikings will face Hartford at Rotary Park.

In the final round, the team with the best record in each pool will play for the championship at 2:30 p.m. at the high school field. The second place teams will play each other at the JV field and the third place teams will play each other at Rotary Park.

For the first two rounds, a time limit of an hour and a half will be used. No game will be started after 90 minutes. The International Tiebreaker will be used in case of a tie.

No time limit will be used in the championship game.

Concessions will be available.

The Optimist Club’s annual pancake breakfast will be held in the high school cafeteria for $5 and Port-A-Pit chicken will available for $6.