By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
ST. JOSEPH - Three Niles area teams were battling for a spot in Saturday's championship games at Eaton Park.
When the dust cleared, all three times were still alive in their hunt for titles.
Niles F.O.P. crushed Dowagiac in Minor League C Division action, 12-7, while both Brandywine teams were victorious as well.
Brandywine's Peanut League B All-Stars edged Hartford in a high-scoring affair, 27-26, while Brandywine's Little League B All-Stars put a whopping on New Prairie, Ind., 15-2.
Dowagiac…7
Niles F.O.P…12
Niles broke open a close contest with a four-run fifth inning.
Dowagiac had cut the Niles' lead to 8-7, however, the All-Stars put the game away in the fifth.
Mitchell Dehn had a pair of singles, a double and two RBIs for Niles, which also got a single and a double from Derek Scott.
Skyler Kimble, Corbin Lott and Ethan Zimmerman all had two hits for Niles. Kimble drove in two runs, while Scott, Lott and Zimmerman were all credited with one RBI.
Hartford…26
Brandywine…27
A 12-run second inning almost wasn't enough for Brandywine Friday night.
Hartford scored five runs in the top of the sixth to tie the score at 26, however, Brandywine tallied a run in the bottom of the seventh to advance to the finals.
Coby Ortiz-Leonard had four singles and six RBIs to lead Brandywine, which also got two singles, a double and four RBIs from Brock Hartline.
New Prairie…2
Brandywine…15
Wayne Marazita struck out four and allowed one hit as Brandywine advanced to the finals with a 15-2 victory.
Mikel Lindzy had four hits, while Derek Nichols had three doubles for Brandywine, which also got a double and a home run from Dustin Bell. Aaron Saltsman and Cameron Smallmon each had three hits.