STURGIS — Visiting Niles split a Big 16 Conference non-divisional softball doubleheader with Sturgis Thursday.

The Vikings won the first game 5-1, but dropped the nightcap 3-2.

Molly VanDerKeere took the victory in the opener. Megan McKeel suffered the loss in the second game.

“In game one we had a chance in the first two innings and did not get runs in,” Niles coach Ryan Frontczak said. “Then in the third inning, we started to drive in the runs and scored in the rest of the innings. We played almost error free ball in game one as well. We were really dominant from start to finish.

“Game two we faced what I would have to say was the fastest thrower we have seen all year and w struggled early one. After we made it through the line-up the first time we started to get things rolling. We really played hard, but just could not come up with the big play in the end.”