By SCOTT NOVAK
Niles Daily Star

A quick start by Niles in the opening game of Thursday’s non-league doubleheader led to a sweep for the Vikings against visiting Dowagiac.

Niles (3-0) scored three runs in each of the first two innings of the opening game and cruised to a 14-4 victory over the Chieftains in five innings.

The Vikings completed the sweep with a 7-1 win in the nightcap.

David Garner and John Carey combined on a three-hitter for Niles in the first game.

Garner worked the first four innings before giving way to Carey, who gave up all four runs.

Offensively for the Vikings, Garner was 2-for-2 with a home run, while Chris Mangus was 2-for-3 with a double.

Rashad Harris had a two-run inside-the-park home run, while Riley Robson and two hits and Carey had a double.

Aaron Blaske, who was one of four pitchers the Chieftains used in the contest, had a double and two RBIs.

Zac Hyatt, who singled and drove in a run, started and took the loss for the Chieftains.

Seth Engler, Blaske and Andrew Kurdelmeyer also spent time on the mound for Dowagiac, which falls to 3-3 on the year.

In the nightcap, Niles scored a run in the first, three runs in the third, two runs in the fourth and a run in the fifth to account for its scoring.

Garner was 4-for-4 with a double and a triple. Ricky Briand, who was the winning pitcher, was 3-for-4.

Cody Carnell hit a two-run home run to straightaway centerfield, while Hyatt singled and drove in the other run.

Jason Turner took the loss for the Chieftains.

First game
Dowagiac 000 04 – 4 3 4
Niles 331 43 – 14 10 2
WP – David Garner, John Cary and Ricky Briand
LP – Zac Hyatt, Seth Engler, Aaron Blaske, Andrew Kurdelmeyer and Brett Scanlon
2B: Blaske (D), Carey (N), Chris Mangus (N), David Garner (N)
HR: Rashad Harris (N)

Second game
Dowagiac 000 001 2 – 3 4 0
Niles 103 210 x – 7 11 1
WP – Ricky Briand, Taylor Campbell and Shawn Holland and John Cary
LP – Jason Turner and Brett Scanlon
2B: David Garner (N)
3B: Garner (N)
HR: Cody Carnell (D)
Varsity records: Dowagiac 3-3, Niles 3-0