By By DAN WEISS / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- For the second time in as many outings this season, the Niles varsity baseball team has come from behind to take a lead in the second game of a doubleheader only to have the game cut short due to darkness.
After a five-inning, 14-3 win over host Brandywine Friday evening, the Vikings fought back from a 7-1 hole to take a 9-7 lead in the top of the fourth inning. The game, however, was stopped following the bottom half of the fourth.
The would-be wins, however, don't disappoint Niles coach Mike Vota, whose team improved to 2-0 with the win in the first game.
The Niles offense jumped on Brandywine (0-2) early in the opening game, scoring five runs in the first inning, thanks in part to singles by Josh Henry, Adrian Davis and Coquillard and a double from Kyle isabel.
The Vikings were also aided by the first of two high pop flies that hit the ground in the infield.
Despite windy conditions, Sidenbender expected his team to make both plays.
Starting sophomore shortstop Matt Wieger may be one of the players who has to take a more active leadership role.
Niles continued to punish Brandywine pitchers Kory Bridges (0-1) and Tim Douglass for 13 hits in the first game. Coquillard finished with two singles and a double. Henry added a solo homer and a single while jesse Sallak hit a double and a two-run homer.
Brandywine managed four hits in the first game off Niles pitcher Kyle Kidwell (1-0).
It was the Bobcats who jumped out to an early lead in the second game with three singles in the first inning. A double by Matt Koller brought in three runs in the third inning and a home run by Josh Atwood brought in two more to give Brandywine a 7-1 lead heading into the fourth inning.
The Vikings, however, fought back for eight runs in the fourth. Tyler Yost, Steve Clanton, Henry, John Kessick and Matt Richardson each singles in the fourth while Rick Storm tripled.
Brandywine hosts South Bend Clay at 3 p.m. Tuesday. The next action for Niles is Saturday at the South Bend Adams Tournament, beginning at 10 a.m.