Softball Game Preview: Northridge Raiders vs. Dowagiac Chieftains

The Northridge Raiders will face off against the Dowagiac Chieftains at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. Northridge will aim to continue their three-game streak of scoring more runs each game than the last.

Northridge is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They blew past NorthWood 18-7 on Wednesday. The team's explosion at the plate also rewarded the Raiders with their most commanding win of the season.

Willow Staley

Runs Batted In (Career)

04/23/25 @ NorthWood	5
05/04/24 vs Fort Wayne Northrop	3
03/25/24 @ Fairfield	3
05/17/24 vs Mishawaka Marian	2
05/06/24 vs Concord	2

Willow Staley was incredible, going 3-for-5 with four runs and five RBI. Those five RBI gave her a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Rielyn Goodwin, who went 2-for-5 with three runs, two RBI, and one double.

Meanwhile, Dowagiac strolled into their game on Wednesday with a perfect record and they left with the same. They came out on top against Niles by a score of 6-1.

Bree Campbell spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered a run (which was unearned) on one hit and racked up 12 Ks.

On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Marlie Carpenter, who went 2-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and one double. She has been hot recently, having posted at least one stolen base the last three times she's played. Bree Behnke was another key player, going a perfect 3-for-3 with one RBI.

Dowagiac kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least eight hits in 11 consecutive matchups.

Northridge now has a winning record of 4-3. As for Dowagiac, they pushed their record up to 15-0 with the win, which was their tenth straight at home.