By Staff
The Niles softball team opened its season with a loss, but quickly rebounded and picked up a victory in the second game of Wednesday's non-conference doubleheader with Edwardsburg.
The visiting Eddies won the opener 5-3 before Niles bounced back for a 2-1 victory in the nightcap.
Kari Eckstein took the loss for Niles in the first game despite throwing 11 strikeouts. She gave up seven hits. Shanna Stoops earned the victory for Edwardsburg.
Ashton Parks had two hits to pace the Vikings at the plate in the first game. Tasha Lary, Jessica Johnson, Kate Whittaker, Krystal Lary, Stephanee Schrader, Jessica Cornelius and Kayla Gross each added a hit for Niles.
Crystal Crouch earned the pitching victory for the Vikings in the second game as she struck out four and gave up five hits. Jenna Bowman took the loss for Edwardsburg.
Parks again led Niles at the plate with two hits including a double that brought home the winning run in teh bottom of the seventh. Krystal Lary had three hits for the Vikings as well.
Niles returns to action today at home against South Bend Washington at 5 p.m.
Edwardsburg….5
Niles……………..3
Edwardsburg 002 003 0--5 7 1
Niles 002 100 0--3 9 2
Shanna Stoops (W, 1-2) and Samantha Fritsche; Kari Eckstein (L, 0-1) and Nikki Lintz.
2B: Jenna Bowman (E)
Niles……………..2
Edwardsburg….1
Edwardsburg 000 001 0--1 5 1
Niles 010 000 1--2 10 1
Crystal Crouch (W, 1-0) and Nikki Lintz; Jenna Bowman (L, 0-1) and Samantha Fritsche.
2B: Ashton Parks (N), Kelli Kretchman
(E), Jessica Shotwell (E)
Team records: Niles 1-1, Edwardsburg 3-6.