By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – The Niles varsity softball team picked up two wins Thursday evening against Edwardsburg, but it didn't come easy.
The Eddies put up a tough battle, even though they fell to the Lady Vikes 3-0 in game one and 12-2 in the nightcap.
"I thought Edwardsburg played us as tough as anyone that we've played so far this season," Niles head coach Jim Arnold said.
In the first game, both teams were scoreless during the first four innings of play.
With one out and a runner on third and second, the Vikings put the first run on the board when Cricket Fisher stole home on a passed ball and slid under the tag at the plate.
In the bottom of the sixth, Niles had four straight hits to help score two big runs.
Top hitters were Fisher with a single and a double, Jenna Ignowski and Patty Anton both had one double each, while Heather Daniels, Shelley Aurand, Erica Gordon and Demi Schrader all singled for the Vikes.
Ignowski took the win on the mound for Niles. She threw 12 strikeouts and allowed just four hits. Edwardsburg's Jeni Bollenbacher suffered the loss.
In the second game, Ignowski again took the win, bringing her season record to 5-1. Schrader came in for the save.
"Jenna had another good game and our defense made some good plays. Demi Schrader had a good day at the plate as well," Arnold said.
The Lady Vikes had a very dominate second inning as they were able to score nine runs, on top of the two that were scored in the first.
Edwardsburg scored one run in the third and fourth innings.
Top hitters in the nightcap were Schrader with a double and three singles. Aurand had a double and a single. Karly kennedy, Nicole Ignowski and Heather Daniels all added two singles each, Fisher doubled and Jenna Ignowski, Anton and Brittnay Buti all added singles.
The Lady Vikes, now 5-1 overall, will host Benton Harbor on Tuesday for a Big 16 West Division match-up beginning at 4 p.m.