Walks and a lack of offense hindered the Dowagiac softball team against visiting South Haven Tuesday.

Dowagiac walked is in the third inning, including five consecutive, when the No. 4-ranked Rams scored 10 runs and turned a close game into a route.

South Haven swept the Chieftains 15-0 in four innings and 4-0.

“Walks killed us in the first game,” Dowagiac coach Mike Behnke said. “You can’t give a good team like South Haven free passes and the score reflects that.”

Taylor Meiser started and took the loss with relief help from Tori Smith.

Dowagiac (3-13) managed just one hit off of Alyssa Eastman.

In the second game the Chieftains got a better pitching performance from Katie Ward, but couldn’t generate any type of offense against the Rams’ Marlee Wilson, who gave up four hits.

Sierra Herter had a double for Dowagiac in the nightcap.

“Katie did much better throwing strikes in the second game and keeping us in the game, but we just couldn’t put any hits together or find any holes when we hit the ball,” Behnke said.

First game

South Haven 30(10) 2 – 15 9 0

Dowagiac 000 00 – 0 1 3

Alyssa Eastman (W) and Mariah Boss; Taylor Meiser (L), Tori Smith (3) and Kourtney Mitchell

2B: Meghan Hojara (SH), Eastman (SH)

Second game

Dowagiac 000 000 0 – 0 3 4

South Haven 300 100 x – 4 14 1

Marlee Wilson (W) and Mariah Boss; Katie Ward (L) and Kourtney Mitchell

2B: Wilson (SH), Sierra Herter (D)

3B: Meghan Hojara (SH)

Varsity record

Dowagiac 3-13