By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
NILES – The Niles junior varsity baseball team swept a doubleheader from rival Brandywine on Monday at Thomas Stadium.
The Vikings (25-3) won a thrilling 12-11 decision in the first game and then scored a 15-0 victory in the second contest.
Brandywine opened up a 5-1 lead after three inning of play, however, Niles scored four runs in the fourth inning to knot the score at 5-5.
The Bobcats scored a run in the fifth and five in the sixth to open up an 11-5 advantage on the Vikings.
Niles stormed back with seven runs in the sixth inning to pull out the victory. The Vikings had five hits in the frame.
Tommy Flynn picked up the victory in relief for Niles, while Cody Pierson took the loss for Brandywine.
Offensively for the Vikings, David Garner and Cameron Sly were both 2-for-5 with doubles and four RBIs.
The Bobcats got a grand slam from Derek Nichols, who also singled. Aaron Saltsman had three hits, while Wayne Marazita and Pierson both had two hits.
In the second game, Niles scored 13 runs in the third inning to turn the game into a blow out.
Garner tossed a no-hitter for the Vikings, who finished with nine hits.
Sly hit a solo home run and was 3-for-3 in the nightcap. Rashad Harris was 2-for-2, while Ricky Briand was 2-for-3.
Nichols took the loss for the Bobcats, who are now 18-13.
On Saturday, Brandywine defeated the Vikings 1-0 as Dustin Bell tossed a no-hitter with five strikeouts.
Garner also threw a no-hitter for the Vikings, but took the loss.
The Bobcats scored the game's only run in the first inning.
The Bobcats also defeated Lake Michigan Catholic on Saturday, 10-2.
Pierson was the winner on the hill for Brandywine.
Tyler Hartman had a triple and a single for the Bobcats, who also got a double and a single from Zach Gerber. Jeremy Zimmerman and Brian Exner each had two hits.