By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Visiting Niles finally had a close game and the Lady Vikings proved their metal in sweeping host Coloma on Thursday in a non-conference doubleheader.
Niles (7-0) won the first game 6-0 and then took the nightcap 3-0 in eight innings.
Nicole Ignowski delivered the game-winning hit in the top of the eighth to keep the Lady Vikings undefeated.
Niles, ranked No. 8 in the latest poll, catcher Maggie Ernsberger got the eighth inning rally started with a single.
Pinch-runner Frances Semrinec advanced to second on a bunt by pitcher Jenna Ignowski and scored on an error by the Coloma left fielder on Nicole Ignowski's single.
Karly Kennedy drove in Nicole Ignowski with a single. Kennedy would score on an error as the Lady Comets tried to cut her down at third base on a steal.
Niles finished the game with eight hits, led by Nellie Coquillard, who had a pair of singles. The other hits came from Cricket Fisher, Ernsberger, Nicole Ignowski, Shelley Aurand, Kennedy and Stephanie Stoops.
Jenna Ignowski tossed a two-hitter to improve to 6-0 on the mound. She struck out 14 and did not walk a batter.
The Lady Vikings pounded out 18 hits in the opening game to roll past the Lady Comets.
Kennedy had a triple and two singles, while Coquillard had four hits in the contest.
Niles also got two hits apiece from Fisher, Jenna Ignowski, Aurand and Erica Gordon.
Jenna Ignowski (7-0) made it seven straight shutouts as she struck out 16 and walked just one batter.
First Game
Niles 012 003 0 – 6 18 1
Coloma 000 000 0 – 0 3 5
WP – Jenna Ignowski (N, 6-0) and Maggie Ernsberger
LP – Sonya Romero (C) and Carley Trainor
3B: Karly Kennedy (N)
Second Game
Niles 000 000 03 – 3 8 3
Coloma 000 000 00 – 0 2 4
WP – Jenna Ignowski (N, 7-0) and Maggie Ernsberger
LP – Sonya Romero (C) and Carley Trainor
Records
Niles 7-0
Coloma 6-7