By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
When it comes to the Dowagiac varsity softball team, you don't rebuild; you reload.
The Chieftains will have some serious reloading to do in 2007.
Dowagiac, which was ranked No. 1 in Division 2 for the first time ever last season, finished with a 31-4 overall record. Arch rival Lakeshore knocked the Chieftains out of the state tournament in the regional semifinals.
Dowagiac coach Mike Behnke, now in his third season, must find a way to replace some pretty talented players.
Gone from the 2006 squad are all-staters Kim Luthringer (first team) and Maureen Pickar (honorable mention). Also gone is all-regional selection Ashley Willis.
Add to that trio, Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference All-Division honorable mention picks Beth Tomczak, Lindsay Tyler and Amy Wood.
Behnke must replace most of his outfield and infield. He must also replace his top two pitchers.
All is not lost for the Chieftains, who have a wealth of talent waiting to step in and fill the void.
On the mound will be senior Katie Roach, who performed well in the circle when given the chance.
Also back is all-state third baseman Holly Lowe and veteran shortstop Brittany Bruens.
Also back for the Chieftains are Calie Daniels, Lynn Zachary, Sara Ausra and Stephanie Grabemeyer.
"We have a lot of holes to fill. We lost six or seven senior starters from last year," Behnke said. "We lost both pitchers, who pitched all but two games last year. I think we will still be a good team, a competitive team. We will lack the depth that we have had."
Hoping to move up from the junior varsity and aid in the squad's success this season will be Allison Frontczak, Felica Hood, Lori Key, Lyndsay Truitt, and Tasia Diaz.
Freshman Torie Lowe will also be on the squad. She, along with her sister Holly helped guide the Dowagiac girls' varsity basketball team to a share of the Wolverine Conference champions.
Dowagiac, which was left out of the preseason Division 2 coach's rankings, will be making its appearance as a member of the Wolverine Conference.
The Chieftains won the SMAC West Division title last season and is looking to challenge for a conference title in their new home.
Dowagiac is no stranger to playing Wolverine Conference teams. In 2006, the Chieftains faced league members Three Rivers, Comstock and Paw Paw.
Dowagiac was 6-0 against those teams, including wins over Paw Paw in the district semifinals and Comstock in the district championship game.
The Chieftains would have faced at least one more Wolverine Conference squad, however, the Gull Lake Invitational was canceled due to weather.
"To me, overall, the new league is better," Behnke said of the Wolverine Conference. "I think the West Division of the Big 16 is a great division, but once you get past the Portage schools and sometimes Mattawan, the Big 16 wasn't that good. Overall in the Wolverine, you better come ready to play every day."
Comstock is the defending league champion, however, they will be trying to "reload" like the Chieftains. In fact, Behnke thinks the Lady Colts may have lost more of their team than he did.
Dowagiac will open its season on April 11 when it hosts former SMAC foe Portage Central in a non-conference doubleheader.