NILES — For the second time in four year, the Edwardsburg softball team has won the Division 2 district championship.

The Eddies (30-7) knocked off defending district champion Paw Paw 7-2 in the semifinals and then used a five-run first inning to defeat Dowagiac 13-1 in the championship game at Niles’ Vella Park.

The title game lasted just six innings.

Dowagiac (25-15) advanced to the championship game with an 8-3 win over the host Vikings.

In the title game, Edwardsburg exploded for five runs in the first inning and never looked back.

The Eddies (30-7) took advantage of a pair of errors on the Dowagiac right fielder and a double by Layne Stinnett to score their five runs.

Dowagiac responded with its only run of the game in the bottom of the first when a single by Taylor Hulett, a bunt single by McKenzie Herter and an RBI single by Riley Daly produced a run.

After a scoreless second inning, Edwardsburg scored two runs in both the third and fourth innings to break the contest open.

A four-run sixth inning ended the game.

Dowagiac committed two more errors in the sixth, while McKenzie Creed, Kaylee Ryker and Rachel Borden all singled.

Hannah Shoupe picked up the win in relief of starter Delaney Peters. Shoupe allowed one hit and struck out four.

Stinnett was 3-for-4 with three RBIs, while Kailee Claire had two hits. Michaela Ritschard drove in three runs, while Creed and Shoupe both had two RBIs.

Dowagiac managed just three hits in the contest.

Hulett suffered the loss.

Edwardsburg will now host the Division 2 Regional Tournament Saturday.

The Eddies will face Wolverine Conference foe Vicksburg in the first game at 10 a.m. St. Joseph and Coldwater will square off in the second game at approximately noon, while the championship game is scheduled for 2 p.m.

 

Division 2 District Softball

At Niles

Championship Game

Edwardsburg             502     204 – 13 12 1

Dowagiac                    100     000 – 1 3 4

Delaney Peters, Hannah Shoupe (W, 1) and Layne Stinnett; Taylor Hulett (L) and Megan Soderbloom

2B: Stinnett (E)

Varsity records: Edwardsburg 30-7, Dowagiac 25-15