The Dowagiac softball team finally got to open its season Tuesday afternoon.

The Chieftains hosted Cassopolis and swept the Rangers 16-1 and 19-5. Both games lasted just five innings.

“Overall, I was happy with our performance tonight,” Dowagiac coach Mike Behnke said. “For only having had two full practices outside this spring, I think we played pretty well. I was most impressed with how Rachel Bailey responded from having ACL surgery in October. She not only hit well as her stats show, but she made two great catches in centerfield and ran the bases well.”

Bailey was 3-for-4 with a double, three runs scored and four RBIs in the opening game. She went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBIs in the nightcap.

Dowagiac also got two hits from Kristyn Turner, including a double, Amanda Craft and Shelby Huston in the first game.

In the second game, Emily Roach was 2-for-3 with a double and four RBIs. Alyssa Allen was 3-for-4 with four RBIs, while Kourtney Mitchell doubled and drove in two runs. Huston doubled and drove in a pair of runs as well.

“We had many players make their varsity debuts and did well,” Behnke said. “We still have a lot to work on this week to get better prepared for Berrien on Friday and our tournament Saturday.”

For the Rangers in the nightcap, Michelle Green, Cheryl Simpson, Logan Lawson and Kaylyn Forest all had singles, while Morgan Rogers was 2-for-2 with a double.

 

First game

Cassopolis 001 0 – 1 1 4

Dowagiac 431 8 – 16 10 1

Tori Smith (W) and Kourtney Mitchell; Michelle Green (L), Rachelle Williams and Cheryl Simpson

2B: Kristyn Turner (D), Amanda Craft (D), Rachel Bailey (D)

 

Second game

Cassopolis 013 0 – 5 6 1

Dowagiac 870 4 – 19 10 1

Alyssa Allen (W) and Courtney Mitchell; Erica Williams (L), Rachelle Williams and Cheryl Simpson

2B: Morgan Rogers (C), Rachel Bailey (D), Shelton Huston (D)

3B: Emily Roach (D)

Varsity records: Cassopolis 0-2, Dowagiac 2-0