By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
The Dowagiac Senior Baseball All-Stars reached the championship game of the Michigan Little League District 15 Tournament with a 19-9 victory over Centreville on Friday.
Dowagiac will host Lawton tonight at Russom Fields with the winner advancing to this weekend's state finals, also to be held at Russom Fields.
The game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
Lawton must defeat Dowagiac twice to reach the championship. Dowagiac needs just one victory to advance as it it undefeated in the double elimination tournament.
On Friday night Jason Fryman (6-1) picked up the mound victory for the All-Stars as he allowed nine runs, five of which were earned with four strike outs and two walks.
Kyle Prak was 3-for-4 with three RBIs, two stolen bases and four runs scored.
Kyle Bailey was 2-for-4 with a home run and a double. Bailey drove in three runs.
Tyler First was 2-for-3 and Matt Dodson 2-for-4.
Dowagiac is now 29-1-1 on the year.
The district champion will advance to Friday's state tournament which is being hosted by Dowagiac Little League.
Dowagiac or Lawton will play at 6 p.m. on Friday against Southern, the District 9 champion.
The tournament will open Friday morning at 9.
Eastwood, Midland and Gladstone have already secured spots in the state tournament.
Softball Districts
The Dowagiac 11-year-old Softball All-Stars captured the District 15 championship on Thursday with a 16-12 victory over Mattawan in a double elimination tournament.
Dowagiac won the first game with Mattawan winning the second game to force a second championship game which was delayed several times by rain.
Dowagiac now advances to Tecumseh to compete in the state tournament which begins July 30 and runs through Aug. 3.
Dowagiac is in Pool A and will compete against the District 5 champion on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
In the opening game of pool play, host Tecumseh will face St. Clair at 11:30 a.m.
On Sunday Dowagiac will face Tecumseh at 1 p.m., while St Clair will take on the District 5 champion at 4 p.m.
On Monday, Aug. 1, Tecumseh will take on the District 5 champion at 3 p.m. and Dowagiac will face St. Clair at 6 p.m.
In Pool B, West Branch is the lone district champion to be placed in the bracket as of this morning. The remainder of the pool will be made up of champions from District 10, District 2 and District 9.
West Branch is the District 8 champion.