SOUTH BEND — The Dowagiac softball team finally got to open its season Tuesday.

The Chieftains split a pair of games with host South Bend Washington, a team is was originally scheduled to play Saturday.

The Panthers won the first game 5-4, rallying from a 3-0 deficit with a five-run fifth inning.

“We didn’t play our best today, but it wasn’t bad for the first games of the season,” Dowagiac coach Mike Behnke said. “We needed to make a couple of plays in that fifth inning of the first game and didn’t. And to Washington’s credit, they made plays when they had to. We need learn how to take better at bats with runners on base.  We had too many scoring opportunities in that first game that we didn’t capitalize on.

“But it is always good to rebound from a tough loss and win the second game. Now the girls have to build on that leading into Decatur Wednesday.”

Dezaray Watts picked up the win in relief of starter Paige Douglas for Washington, which was outhit 10-7 by the Chieftains.

Kasha Payne tripled and Douglas doubled for the Panthers.

Sabrina Ruiz took the loss for the Chieftains.

Alyssa Allen went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs, while Taylor Hulett was 3-for-4 with an RBI. Marissa Dodd had two hits, including a double and drove in a run.

In the nightcap, Hulett scattered nine hits and struck out 10 in picking up the victory.

Dowagiac had eight hits in the second game, led by Allen, who was 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Megan Soderbloom and Riley Daly both doubled for the Chieftains. Soderbloom, McKenzie Herter and Hannah Whitaker all drove in runs.

 

First Game

Dowagiac        210     000     1 – 4 10 0

Washington   000     050     x – 5 7 2

Sabrina Ruiz (L, 0-1) and Megan Soderbloom; Paige Douglas, Dezaray Watts (W, 2) and Solie Garcia

2B: Alyssa Allen (D), Marissa Dodd (D), Douglas (W)

3B: Kasha Payne (W)

 

Second Game

Dowagiac        020     005     1 – 8 8 0

Washington   201     001     1 – 5 9 3

Taylor Hulett (W, 1-0) and Megan Soderbloom, Dezaray Watts (L), Paige Douglas (5) and Solie Garcia

2B: Riley Daly (D), Soderbloom (D), Kasha Payne (W), Douglas (W)

3B: Watts (W)

Varsity record: Dowagiac 1-1