ST. JOSEPH — Visiting Niles swept a SMAC West Division softball doubleheader from St. Joseph Tuesday.

The Vikings took the opening game 8-2 and then completed the sweep with a 6-3 victory.

St. Joseph grabbed the early lead with a pair of runs in the second inning after Niles had scored a run in the first. Emily Cambush drove in one when she singled.

The Vikings took the lead for good with three runs in the third inning. Taylor Altergott singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run, Caitlin Daly grounded out, scoring one run and Reagan Remus induced Aynslee Myer to hit into a fielder’s choice, which scored the third run of the inning.

Niles tacked on three runs in the seventh inning.

The offensive firepower was led by Myer, Alexis Rauch and Kelsey Barkman, who each had RBIs.

Brooke Timm was credited with the victory for the Vikings. She surrendered two runs on five hits over seven innings, striking out five and walking one.

Remus took the loss for the Bears. She allowed nine hits and eight runs over seven innings, striking out five.

Niles finished with nine hits in the game. Altergott, Rauch and Barkman all collected multiple hits for the Vikings. Barkman, Rauch and Altergott each had two hits.

In the nightcap, Niles took the lead late and held on to beat the Bears.

The Vikings were down 3-2 in the top of the seventh inning when Sadie Fountain homered on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring two runs.

Niles got things moving in the first inning. The Vikings scored two runs when Caitlin Daly homered.

St. Joseph knotted the game up at 2-2 in the bottom of the third inning. Olivia Mcqueen singled scoring two runs.

Timm got the win for Niles. She lasted seven innings, allowing nine hits and three runs while striking out three and walking one.

Katie Balley suffered the loss for the Bears. She went seven innings, allowing six runs on seven hits and striking out 10.

Niles finished with a total of seven hits in the game. Albright and Timm both finished with two hits to lead the Vikings.

St. Joseph had nine hits in the game. Taylor, Mcqueen and Ellie Haunhurst both had multiple hits for the Bears. Taylor led St. Joseph with three hits in four at bats.

Buchanan softball

BUCHANAN — The host Bucks dominated Brandywine in a key BCS Athletic Conference contest Tuesday.

Buchanan pitchers Ericka Donathen and Sophie Lozmack combined to allow just four hits on the day and struck out 17 Bobcats with only one walk.

The Bucks had no trouble offensively as they finished the day with 23 hits, including four doubles and a pair of home runs.

Brooklyn Krumrie was 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs in the opening game, while Jayla Bibbs, Morgan Lenox, Donathen, Lozmack and Tali Suloff all had two hits.

Donathen had a pair of doubles and drove in three runs.

In the nightcap, Lenox was 3-for-3 with a home run, a double and four RBIs.

Krumrie added two more hits, while Donathen doubled.

Alysa Adamczyk, Kennedy Byrd and Halie Ebersol all had two hits for the Bobcats in the second game.

Adamczyk singled and doubled.

Byrd doubled for one of the three Bobcat hits in the first game.

Dowagiac softball

VICKSBURG — The Dowagiac softball team was held to four hits in a doubleheader loss to host Vicksburg in Wolverine Conference action Tuesday.

The Chieftains’ lone hit in their 11-1 loss to the Bulldogs in the first game was an Amiyah Smith home run.

Dowagiac finished with three hits in the 9-1 loss in the nightcap.

Jessie Hulett took the loss in the opener and Smith the loss in the second game.

Vicksburg finished the doubleheader with 24 hits, including five doubles.