Dowagiac softball to compete in Lakeshore’s Pink Celebration Tournament

Published 8:53 am Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Dowagiac is going to have to play good defense if it wants to continue the success it has had this season. (Leader file photo/SCOTT NOVAK)

Dowagiac is going to have to play good defense if it wants to continue the success it has had this season. (Leader file photo/SCOTT NOVAK)

The Dowagiac softball team will head to Stevensville for the Pink Celebration Tournament hosted by Lakeshore Saturday.

Also competing in the tournament, which begins at 10 a.m., are Grandville, Coloma, Lake Orion, South Bend St. Joseph, Bridgman, Portage Central and the host Lancers.

Games are scheduled to be played at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

“We are approaching the Lakeshore Invitational this weekend like any other game and that is winning,” Dowagiac coach Mike Behnke said. “We feel we can beat any team on our schedule, but at the same time need to play like we are capable of in order to do that. And if things don’t go our way, then we just need to regroup and refocus to get ready for our next opponent. We will need to get good pitching, good defense and some timely hitting with runners on base.”

Admission is $5 and is good for both the softball and baseball tournaments.

Tournament T-shirts will be available for $10 each. Baked goods, concession and raffle prizes are all a part of the fundraiser, which will benefit the Berrien County Cancer Society.

In the opening round, Dowagiac will face Portage Central with the winner advancing to take on the Bridgman-South Bend St. Joseph winner in the semifinals.

The loser will drop into the consolation bracket and face the loser of Bridgman and St. Joseph.

In the other half of the bracket, host Lakeshore will take on Grandville with the winner moving on to face the Lake Orion-Coloma winner.