By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
A trio of seniors have helped Dowagiac build one of its best seasons in school history.
On Saturday, Brittney Reist, Mandy Parish and Valerie Johnson will try and give Dowagiac its third regional championship.
Reist is a four-year starter for the Chieftains, while Parish has played three full seasons on the varsity after splitting time on the squad as a freshman.
Johnson has spent the last two seasons on the varsity.
In those four years, Dowagiac has amassed a school record 124 victories.
All three agreed that last Saturday's 13-inning victory over Lakeshore for the district championship was the highlight of their careers.
In the past four seasons the three of them have helped Dowagiac win a school record 124 games.
Reist spent her first two seasons as an infielder, while she has been the Chieftains' pitcher the past two campaigns.
Parish has been Dowagiac's catcher for the better part of four seasons, earning All-State honors last season.
Johnson is a reserve first baseman.
Johnson has five hits in limited chances this season, but has help the squad both on and off the field.
She said that the team set several goals this season, which included winning the Big 16 Conference West Division.
Dowagiac accomplished that goal with a sweep of arch rival Lakeshore in May.
Her fondest memory?
Parish is having a career year for the Chieftains, which is what she wanted to do.
Parish, who will attend Ferris State University on a softball scholarship, is hitting .431 with 11 doubles, two triples, a home run and 43 RBIs.
Parish said that winning a district championship will be something she remembers for a long time because so few teams have actually done it.
Reist not only has been a force at the plate for the Chieftains this season, but a wizard on the mound.
Reist is hitting .378 with 12 doubles, three triples, three home runs and 37 RBIs. She is the all-time career home run leader with 10.
In the circle she is 15-2 with an ERA of 0.62. She has struck out 126 and walked just 13.
Reist said that winning the district, going 23 innings with Lakeshore in 2003 and breaking the home run record have been her career highlights.
Coach Mike Behnke will certainly remember.