Chieftains win Bison Bash
Published 8:40 am Monday, May 16, 2016
NEW BUFFALO — Despite less than desirable playing conditions., the Dowagiac baseball team won the Bison Bash by defeating Benton Harbor 9-3 and the host Bison 5-0.
Dowagiac, fresh off a sweep of Allegan Friday night, got two more quality pitching performances and back them up with defense and hitting.
“We are starting to put together a complete game in all parts of the game,” Dowagiac coach Dan Schuchardt said. “Key hits with runners in scoring position and aggressive base running helped score runs. I am excited to see what this team is capable of doing on a nightly basis when we make the routine plays in the field.”
In the title game, Nick Foote picked up the victory as he worked five innings before giving way to Brandon Felthouse, who worked the final two innings. The pair combined on a one-hitter with four strikeouts.
Foote was also 3-for-3 at the plate with a double and an RBI. Brenden Dudley was 2-for-3 with a double.
Against the Tigers, Ellijah Williams earned the victory going into the sixth. Foote came on to record the final outs for the Chieftains.
Foote doubled, singled and drove in a run for Dowagiac, which also got three hits and an RBI from Dudley and two hits and two RBIs from Adrien Bucha-Moore.
BISON BASH
At New Buffalo
First game
Dowagiac 003 201 2 – 8 12 1
Benton Harbor 100 101 0 – 3 5 1
Ellijah Williams (W), Nick Foote (7); K Pratt (L).
2B; Foote (D).
Second game
New Buffalo 000 000 0 – 0 1 1
Dowagiac 021 200 x – 5 8 0
Nick Foote (W, 1), Brandon Felthouse (6); Jarek Hotwagner (L).
2B: Foote (D), Brendon Dudley (D).
Top hitters — Dowagiac: Nick Foote 2b, 2 1b, RBI; Brenden Dudley 2b, 1b
At Allegan
ALLEGAN — Dowagiac got a pair of outstanding pitching performances in sweeping Allegan in Wolverine Conference baseball Friday.
Brenden Dudley and Mack Charles both tossed one-hitters as the Chieftains swept the Tigers 4-1 and 10-0.
Dudley struck out 11 and walked two in picking up the first game victory.
Eric Walker was 3-for-4 with a pair of RBIs, while Ellijah Williams doubled.
Charles struck out 11 and walked three in winning the nightcap.
“Last night (Friday) was great to see our players playing the game the right way hustling on and off the field quickly, putting the ball in play moving runners and taking extra bases at the right times,” Schuchardt said. “Mack Charles and Brenden Dudley pitched their best games of the year both throwing complete game one-hitters. Also each collecting 11 strikeouts mixing up pitches well.”
Taylor Dodd was 3-for-4 with three RBIs, while Dudley and Collin Hassle both had two hits. Dudley also drove in a pair of runs.
DOWAGIAC 4-10, ALLEGAN 1-0
At Allegan
First game
Dowagiac 120 100 0 – 4 7 0
Allegan 001 000 0 – 1 1 3
Brenden Dudley (W), Adams (L).
2B: Ellijah Williams (D).
Second game
Dowagiac 110 341 – 10 11 0
Allegan 000 000 – 0 1 1
Mack Charles (W), Beardsley (L0, Cougar (5).