By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
ST. JOSEPH – With the baseball tournament wrapped up, the Eaton Park Invitational switches to softball beginning tonight.
The tournament, which features 27 area softball teams, ranging in ages from eight to 14, begins competition at 5:30 p.m.
Dowagiac and North Lincoln will get things started at 5:30 p.m. in the 8U Division. The OC Crush and Lakeshore will follow at 7 p.m.
In the 10U – B Division, Harris Gold will face North Lincoln and 8:30 p.m.
In the A Division, Coloma/Hagar will face North Lincoln at 5:30 p.m. and Mishawaka (Ind.) will face Harris Red at 7:15 p.m.
In the 12U Division, Hartford and Lakeshore will open up play at 5:30, with South Haven and North Lincoln-Priebe playing at 7:15 p.m.
Coloma/Hagar and Buchanan will get things started in the 14U Division with a 6:30 p.m. contest.
Besides Dowagiac and North Lincoln, the 8U has South Haven and Hartford in Pool 1, while in Pool 2 the Crush and Lakeshore are joined by Harris.
There are two pools in the 10U – A and 10U – B Diviions.
In the A Division in Pool 1 are Coloma/Hagar, North Lincoln and Berrien Springs. In Pool 2 are Mishawaka, Harris Red, OC Crush and Lakeshore.
Over in the B Division, Pool 1 consists of Harris Gold, North Lincoln and New Buffalo. In Pool 2 are Bridgman, South Haven and Dowagiac.
The 12U Division also had two pools. Pool 1 is made up of Hartford, Lakeshore, Berrien Springs and North Lincoln-Miller. Pool 2 consists of Harris Red, North Lincoln-Priebe, South Haven, Dowagiac and Buchanan.
There is just one pool in the 14U Division. That is comprised of Coloma/Hagar, Buchanan, Gobles, North Lincoln and Livonia.
Beside tonight's game, Dowagiac's 8U softball team will play against South Haven on Friday at 7 p.m.
Dowagiac will begin play in the 10U – B Division on Friday at 8:30 p.m. against South Haven.
The 10U All-Stars will also play on Saurday at 1:15 p.m. against Bridgman.
Dowagiac's 12U All-Star team will hit the field on Thursday night at 7:15 against Harris Red. The team will also play on Saturday at noon against Buchanan.
Buchanan's first game is scheduled for Friday at 7:15 p.m. against Harris Red.
Buchanan's 14U squad will also play on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. against North Lincoln. Gobles will be the opponent on Saturday at 8 a.m., while Buchanan will wrap up pool play at 2 p.m. on Saturday against Livonia.
Bracket play is scheduled to begin on Saturday for the 8U, 10U and 12U divisions and on Sunday for the 14U division.
In the 8U bracket, the first game is slated for 6:30 p.m. In the 10U – B Division, the first round is set for 3 p.m., while in the 12U Division, the opening game of bracket play is set for 4 p.m.
The 14U Division will begin its bracket play on Sunday at 8 a.m.
Championship games in all divisions are scheduled for Sunday.