Host Dowagiac rallied from a 6-0 deficit to earn a split with Sturgis in Wolverine Conference non-divisional baseball Tuesday.

The Chieftains defeated the Trojans 10-9 in eight innings before falling to Sturgis 12-0 in the second game, which lasted just six innings.

The Chieftains trailed the Trojans 6-0 heading into the bottom of the second inning.

Dowagiac scored two in the second, three in the third and one in the fourth to tie the score at 6-6.

Two more runs in the sixth inning gave Dowagiac an 8-6 advantage.

That lead was short-lived as the Trojans rallied with a pair of runs in the top of the seventh to knot the score at 7-7.

In the top of the eighth, Sturgis scored a run on a single by Bryce Jasper, a hit-by-pitch, a double steal.

After Jasper singled, Brecken Stewart was hit by a pitch by Dowagiac’s Daquan Brooks. Jasper stole third and then the Trojans worked the double steal with Jasper scoring the go-ahead run when the throw to the plate was late.

In its half of the eighth, Dowagiac scored twice as Brooks singled and advanced to second on a throwing error. Brooks then advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Mason Hojara.

Aubrey Huston followed with an RBI double to tie the score and then came around to plate the winning run on a single down the leftfield line by Brenden Dudley.

“One of the reasons we were able to make a comeback in game one tonight was because of Mason Hojara pitching five shutout innings keeping our team in the game,” Dowagiac coach Dan Schuchardt said. “As a team we hit well in game one up and down the lineup getting something from everyone, especially Matt Smith.

“Game two proves how important working ahead in the count and playing solid defense can help you win. We did neither of those things and fell behind early, allowing Sturgis to take advantage of our poor play. We are young but I see progress is happening I’m encouraged by tonight.”

Brooks was the third pitcher used by Dowagiac and earned the win by working the final two-plus innings.

Dowagiac (1-7) gave up six runs in the first inning in the nightcap and never recorded.

The Chieftains managed just four hits against Stewart.

 

DOWAGIAC 10-0, STURGIS 9-12

First Game

Sturgis                         510     000     21 – 9 10 4

Dowagiac                    023     102     02 – 10 11 6

Nate Ward, Mason Hojara (1), Daquan Books (6); Oakley Stevens, Tyler Cain (L, 3)

2B: Cain (S), Aubrey Huston (D), Matt Smith (D)

3B: Smith (D), Justin Grady (D)

 

Second Game

Sturgis                         615     000 – 12 13 0

Dowagiac                    000     000 – 0 4 2

Brecken Stewart (W); Mack Charles (L), Brenden Dudley (1), Nick Foote (2), Dre Bucha Moore (3)

2B: Oakley Stevens (S), Jack Caywood (S)

3B: Cole D’Haese (S)

Varsity records: Sturgis 7-3-1, Dowagiac 1-7