By By SC0TT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
Dowagiac had to work a little overtime Tuesday night in getting new coach Mike Behnke off to a successful debut.
Dowagiac opened its season against visiting Portage Central with a Big 16 Conference non-divisional sweep.
The Chieftains rallied to take the opening game 2-1 and then rallied to win the nightcap 3-2 in nine innings.
Dowagiac used senior leadership to get the season opening sweep against one of the better softball programs in southwestern Michigan.
Portage Central (0-2) led 1-0 in the first and game 2-0 in the second game before the Chieftains rallied for the victories.
Dowagiac tallied a run in the second inning and a run in the fifth to pick up the opening game win.
Senior Brittney Reist tossed a three-hiter with nine strike outs.
Senior catcher Mandy Parish had two doubles and an RBI as the Chieftains finished with six hits off of Lady Mustang pitcher Dayna Hoopes.
Kim Luthringer also had a double, while Holly Lowe had a single and an RBI.
Amy Wood had the other Chieftain hit.
Brittany Bruens drove in the winning run with a grouind out.
In the nightcap Dowagiac found itself down 2-0 on single runs by Portage Central in the first and second innings.
Dowagiac knotted the score with a two-run third inning.
The game remained tied until the bottom of the ninth when Luthringer singled and scored on a double by Reist.
Ashley Willis went the distance allowing five runs and striking out 12 to pick up the victory.
Dowagiac finished with six hits off of Brittney Horton.
Reist led the offense with two doubles, a single and three RBIs. Luthringer had a double and a single, while Amy Wood added a double.
Dowagiac returns to action on Thursday as it travels to Battle Creek to take on Harper Creek in a Big 16 Conference non-divisional doubleheader. Play is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.