The offensive struggles for the Niles softball team continued against visiting No. 10-ranked St. Joseph Wednesday.

The Vikings managed just seven hits in falling to the Bears 8-1 and 7-1 in SMAC West Division action.

“We didn’t swing the bats as well as we have been tonight,” Niles coach Rick McKeel said. “Our pitchers both went seven innings for the first time all year and we eliminated the walks and we played solid defense. I was proud of the way our pitchers Addison Davies and Michelle Crouch battled tonight. Although we lost we certainly took some steps in the right direction tonight.”

Tegan Bays had the only two hits for the Vikings (5-15, 3-5 West) in the opening game.

Kylee Myer drove in the lone run for Niles in the nightcap.

 

ST. JOSEPH 8-7, NILES 1-1

At Niles

First Game

St. Joseph       300     110     3 – 8 15 1

Niles                000     100     0 – 1 2 0

Jessica Boyd (W); Addison Davies (L)

2B: Makenzie Arent (S), R. Carle (S)

 

Second game

St. Joseph       010     014     1 – 7 10 2

Niles                100     000     0 – 1 5 3

Paige Newton (W); Michelle Crouch (L)

2B: Olivia Shinrock (S) 2

Varsity records: St. Joseph 19-3, 7-1 SMAC West; Niles 5-15, 3-5 SMAC West