By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
The Dowagiac varsity softball team tuned up for today's showdown with perennial area powerhouse Lakeshore by sweeping visiting Buchanan Monday afternoon.
The No. 6 ranked Chieftains (9-1) blanked Buchanan 10-0 in five innings in the first game and then took the nightcap, 6-0.
Dowagiac pitchers Kelly Tomczak and Jenna Stuppy allowed a combined four hits between them while striking out 21.
Dowagiac jumped out on the Lady Bucks early in both games, leading 6-0 after two innings in the opening game and taking a 3-0 lead in the first inning of the second game when Mandy Parish launched a home run.
Dowagiac scored twice in the first inning of the opening game and then four times in the second. The Chieftains scored a run in the third and three runs in the fourth to account for its 10 runs.
The Chieftains finished the first game with 11 hits. Stuppy went 4-for-4 with an RBI. Tomczak was 2-for-3 with a double. Brianne Reist doubled and drove in a run, while Rachel Minikel and Brittney Reist both singled and drove in a run.
Ali Bender had the lone hit for the Lady Bucks. Jenni Klutts went the distance and took the loss. She allowed 11 hits with four strikeouts and four walks.
Tomczak allowed one hit while striking out nine and walking just one.
In the nightcap Parish, who was 2-for-3, homered to stake the Chieftains to a 3-0 lead. Dowagiac added a run in the second and two runs in the fifth.
Stuppy gave up three hits, while stikeing out 12 and walking four.
Tiffany Griffin and Bender both doubled for Buchanan which dropped to 7-5 with the sweep.
Caryn Dodson went the distance, allowing six hits.
Dowagiac coach Randy Brooks was not pleased with his team's effort in the second game.
Dowagiac faces No. 9 ranked Lakeshore today at 4 p.m. in a Big-16 Conference West Division showdown.
Buchanan takes on River Valley today.
Dowagiac….10
Buchanan……0
Buchanan 000 00 -- 0 1 2
Dowagiac 241 3x -- 10 11 1
Kelly Tomczak (W, 4-0), Jenni Klutts (L)
2B: Kelly Tomczak (D), Brianne Reist (D)
Dowagiac….6
Buchanan….0
Buchanan 000 000 0 -- 0 3 3
Dowagiac 310 020 x -- 6 6 1
Jenna Stuppy (W, 5-1), Caryn Dodson (L)
HR: Mandy Parish (D)
2B: Tiffany Griffin (B), Ali Bender (B)
Team records: Dowagiac 9-1, Buchanan 7-5