By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
With the exception of three innings Thursday, Dowagiac coach Andy Kruger thought his team played pretty well.
Unfortunately, those three innings kept the Chieftains winless Thursday afternoon against visiting Portage Central.
The Mustangs swept the Chieftains, 12-2 and 3-1, in Big 16 Conference non-divisional play.
Jesse and Jake Cox suffered the losses for the Chieftains.
Jesse Cox (1-2) worked five innings in the first game, allowing seven runs on nine hits.
Jordan Huey worked the final two innings, allowing five runs on seven hits.
Dowagiac managed just six hits in the contest, all singles.
David Stuppy, Jamie Simpson, Scott Wilkinson and Schuyler File all had singles. Huey finished with two hits. Simpson and Wilkinson both drove in runs.
Will Posthumus and Chad Heath tripled and doubled respectively for the Mustangs.
In the second game Jake Cox worked six innings, allowing three runs on six hits.
Huey worked one inning.
Dowagiac actually outhit Portage Central as it finished with seven.
Mike Kasper led the Chieftains offensively with a double.
Dowagiac (8-6) also got two hits from Huey. Stuppy, Simpson and Wilkinson all added a hit.
Dowagiac will face another good team on Tuesday as it opens up Big 16 Conference West Division play at St. Joseph.
The first game is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.