In a busy stretch of eight games in five days, the Niles baseball team had some fun in its doubleheader Thursday against Cassopolis.

The Vikings won both games, winning the opener, 14-1, and winning game two, 17-2.

“It was probably the first time all year that I’ve relaxed coaching,” said Vikings baseball coach Mike Vota, whose team had lost nine of its last 10 games entering Thursday’s doubleheader.

“Our guys swung the bats well and played hard. We got everybody into the games and guys got some experience.”

Niles had an 11-run third inning in the opener. Jake Hamm had a three-run triple and Cody Glick had a two-single to highlight that inning.

Jakob Huffman finished with three hits and three RBIs for Niles.

Winning pitcher Austin Curran allowed no runs and three hits over four innings.

In game two, Niles jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning. Hamm came up with a clutch two-run double in that inning.

A nine-run fourth inning ended the game on a mercy-rule. Jakob Huffman and Drew Huffman each drove in two runs with a single.

“Jake Hamm has been working really hard on his swing,” Vota said. “Jakob Huffman has swung the bat well for us all year.

“We continue to talk as a team that we need a bunch of guys hot here at the end of the season. Our guys are really embracing that and working hard  to try to raise the bar themselves to get there.”

Winning pitcher Tayton Stevens allowed two runs on four hits over four innings.

“Our pitchers were good,” Vota said. “They threw strikes and that’s what we ask from our guys. They haven’t thrown a lot of innings this year and they came out today and battled and gave us a chance to win.”

Cassopolis got an RBI double and steal of home in game two from Dillon Richey.

“We’ve just got to keep our heads up,” said Cassopolis baseball coach Andy Brawley. “(Niles) is a good team. They’re probably one of the best teams we’ve played this year. Also, when you’re down pitching, what are you going to do. You have to throw somebody out there and see what they can do.”

 

NILES 14-17, CASSOPOLIS 1-2

At Niles

First game

Cassopolis     000      01 –1 3 3

Niles               21(11) 0 –14 10 1

Randy Kirk (L), Luke Baker (3) and Matt Locke; Austin Curran (W), Jared Haney (5) and Cody Glick.

2B: Trey Scott (N), Bryce Lake (N).

3B: Jake Hamm 2 (N), Jakob Huffman (N).

 

Second game

Cassopolis     000      2 –2 4 2

Niles               413      9 –17 11 0

Austin Voss (L), Matt Locke (2), Nick Baker (4) and Locke, Austin Green 2); Tayton Stevens (W) and Cody Glick.

2B: Dillon Richey (C), Jake Hamm (N), Jake Lalone (N).

3B: Jakob Huffman (N).

Varsity records: Niles 15-14, Cassopolis 16-15.