By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
DOWAGIAC - Having knocked off the No. 3 team in the state on Saturday to advance to today's quarterfinals at Grand Valley State University, the Dowagiac varsity softball team faces an even bigger challenge.
The Chieftains will take on top-ranked Wyoming Rogers (38-2) at 5 p.m. today.
The winner advances to Friday's Division 2 semifinals at Bailey Park in Battle Creek.
The semifinal game is scheduled for 10:30 p.m.
Wyoming Rogers reached the quarterfinals with a 6-0 win over Portland in the regional championship game on Saturday.
Rogers also blanked No. 2 ranked Wayland 4-0 in the semifinals.
In 2004 Wyoming Rogers dropped a 1-0 decision to Lakeshore in the quarterfinals.
Dowagiac also held its two opponents scoreless in the regional tournament.
The Chieftains, ranked No. 4, defeated Gull Lake (7-0) and No. 3 ranked Comstock (3-0).
Wyoming Rogers is led by sophomore pitcher Whitney Hudson.
Pitching and defense are the Golden Hawks strength as they have only allowed 10 runs in those 40 games.
Wyoming Rogers is no stranger to the state quarterfinals, having won championships in 2001 and 1999.
Dowagiac (34-4) is making only its second trip to the state quarterfinals in school history.
Dowagiac will be led into action by seniors Brittney Reist and Mandy Parish.
Reist is 17-2 on the mound this season and has 11 career home runs.
Parish is hitting better than .400 with 35-plus RBIs.