Vikings split with Lancers

Published 8:24 am Thursday, May 24, 2018

STEVENSVILLE — Visiting Niles split a SMAC West Division softball doubleheader with perennial state powerhouse Lakeshore Tuesday.

The Vikings rallied for a 7-3 victory in the opening game, but dropped the nightcap 2-0.

Niles scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning against the No. 1-ranked Lancers to pull out the victory in the first game.

Taylor Altergott drew a lead-off walk to start the seventh inning rally.

One out later, Brooke Timm hit a home run to give the Vikings a 6-3 lead.

Caitlin Daly followed with a double, and was replaced by courtesy runner Madisyn Rough, who came around to score with two outs when Aynslee Myer singled.

Timm then came on and retired Lakeshore in order in the bottom of the seventh to pick up the victory. She allowed 12 hits and struck out one.

The Vikings finished with eight hits off of Lakeshore’s Taylor Simon.

Daly was 2-for-4 with a double and a home run.

Hannah Albright drove in a pair of runs for Niles.

In the nightcap, Lakeshore scored single runs in the second and third innings to gain the split.

Laney Mead held the Vikings to just three hits and struck out four.

Sadie Fountain, Albright and Reese Davies all singled.

Timm suffered the loss despite allowing just six hits with three strikeouts.

Buchanan softball

BUCHANAN — Host Buchanan dropped a pair of close non-conference games to Edwardsburg Tuesday.

The Eddies (17-11) edged the Bucks 2-0 in the opening game and then took the nightcap 6-3.

Edwardsburg’s Ashley Pion tossed a no-hitter in the first game with five strikeouts and one walk.

The Eddies scored single runs in the second and sixth innings.

Buchanan losing pitcher Ericka Donathen allowed just four hits in the game, while she struckout 13 and walked only one.

Bailey Anson was 2-for-3 with a triple and an RBI to lead the Edwardsburg offense, which also got a double from Kailee Claire.

In the nightcap, the Bucks cut the lead to 4-3 with a run in the bottom of the sixth only to give up a pair of runs in the top of the seventh to the Eddies.

Pion picked up the win in relief of starter Carly Tittle. Pion pitched three innings, allowing one earned run on two hits with six strikeouts.

The Eddies banged out 11 hits, including three each by Claire and Anson. Claire homered and Anson doubled for Edwardsburg. Anson finished with four RBIs.

Lexi Clark had a pair of hits.

Buchanan finished with five hits, including two by Jayla Bibbs and Megan Adkerson. Bibbs tripled and Adkerson doubled for the Bucks.

Sophie Lozmack took the loss.