By Staff
BENTON HARBOR – The Niles varsity softball team put the finishing touches on an undefeated Big 16 Conference West Division season with a sweep of host Benton Harbor on Tuesday.
The Lady Vikings' Erica Gordon accomplished a feat that not many players get a chance to as she played every position in the first game.
Top-ranked Niles showed no mercy as it scored 11 runs in the first inning en route to an 18-0 win in game one. The Lady Vikings polished off their perfect West Division campaign with a 15-0 win in the nightcap.
Both games lasted just three innings.
The Lady Vikings had 18 hits in the first game, led by Nellie Coquillard and Patty Anton, both of whom slugged home runs. Coquillard also had a single and a RBI, while Anton had two singles and four RBIs.
Maggie Ernsberger doubled twice and singled for Niles, which also got a single, a double and three RBIs from winning pitcher Jenna Ignowski. Heather Daniels contributed three hits and two RBIs, while Shelley Aurand had two hits and two runs batted in.
Nicole Ignowski finished with a pair of hits.
Jenna Ignowski tossed the first of her two no-hitters in the opener with five strikeouts in two innings of work. Gordon worked the final inning and struck out one.
Niles picked up nine more hits in game two against the Lady Tigers.
Coquillard singled twice and doubled for the Lady Vikings, who also got a triple and a RBI from both Jenna Ignowski and Cricket Fisher.
Stephanie Stoops doubled and drove in a pair of runs. Demi Schrader contributed a pair of singles and a RBI for Niles.
Ignowski struck out eight in her three innings of work.
The Lady Vikings are now 28-2 on the season and finish their West Division campaign with an 8-0 mark.
Niles will get back to work on Saturday as it competes in the Matt Kurtis Memorial Softball Tournament at Brandywine High School.
Play is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.
First Game
Niles (11)52 – 18 18 0
Benton Harbor 000 – 0 0 1
WP – Jenna Ignowski (N, 25-2), Erica Gordon (3) and Maggie Ernsberger
LP – Patrice Brown (BH) and Shetritra Berry
2B: Ignowski (N), Ernsberger (N) 2
HR: Nellie Coquillard (N), Patty Anton (N)
Second Game
Niles 465 – 15 9 0
Benton Harbor 000 – 0 0 1
WP – Jenna Ignowski (N, 27-2) and Nicole Ignowski
LP – Patrice Brown (BH) and Shetritra Berry
2B: Nellie Coquillard (N), Stephanie Stoops (N)
3B: Jenna Ignowski (N), Cricket Fisher (N)
Records
Niles 28-2, 8-0 West Division; Benton Harbor 0-18, 0-8 West Divsiion