Neither the rain or visiting Cassopolis could put a damper on the Dowagiac softball team’s season opener Wednesday.

The Chieftains banged out 23 hits in sweeping the Rangers 13-3 and 12-1. The second game was called after four innings due to rain.

“For our first two games on the year we didn’t play too badly,” Dowagiac coach Mike Behnke said. “I thought we really hit the ball hard and had a lot hit right at them that Cass made plays on. Our pitchers weren’t as sharp as they need to be with their control but they’ll get better. We will now enjoy some time off for Spring Break to recharge for a very busy April and May.”

In the opening game, Taylor Hulett allowed three runs on three hits with 13 strikeouts and five walks.

She was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs at the plate for Dowagiac, which also got 3-for-4 performances from Alyssa Allen and Megan Huey. Allen and Huey each added a double and combined for five RBIs.

Megan Soderbloom was 2-for-4 with a double.

Katie Purlee doubled for the Rangers, who also got hits from Kaylyn Forrest and Erika Williams.

In the nightcap, Soderbloom allowed one run on three hits with six strikeouts and four walks.

Mickie Kiggins was 3-for-3 with a double, triple and an RBI for Dowagiac. Soderbloom was 2-for-3 with a double, while Allen and Marissa Dodd also added doubles.

Amiyah Smith was 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Jayna Locke doubled for the Rangers, who also got hits from Forrest and Madison Brooks.

 

DOWAGIAC 13-12, CASS 3-1

At Dowagiac

First Game

Cassopolis     000      300 – 3 3 4

Dowagiac       131      025 – 13 12 1

Taylor Hulett (W, 1-0) and Megan Soderbloom; Nikki Reefe (W) andMaile Barber

2B: Katie Purlee (C), Hulett (D), Soderbloom (D), Alyssa Allen (D), Megan Huey (D)

 

Second Game

Cassopolis     001      0 – 1 3 4

Dowagiac       840      x – 12 11 0

Megan Soderbloom (W, 1-0) and Mickie Kiggins; Olivia Purlee (L) and Maile Barber

2B: Jayna Locke (C), Marissa Dodd (D), Soderbloom (D), Alyssa Allen (D), Kiggins (D)

Varsity records: Cassopolis 2-2, Dowagiac 2-0