By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - In-town high schools Niles and Brandywine met on the field Wednesday night for a non-conference game, and the Bobcats, now ranked No. 4 in Division 3, were able to capture a four run win over the Vikings, 5-1.
It could have been either teams game as both teams left it wide open making a lot of minor problems defensively.
The Vikes, who stand 10-23 overall, had a chance to score some runs in the top of the first, but could never bring in the two runners on third and second baseS.
The Bobcats were the first to score in the bottom of the fourth bringing in four runs. Missed ground balls and throwing errors by Niles allowed Brandywine to take advantage of the errors and score its runs.
The Bobcats scored their last run in the bottom of the fifth.
Niles made a big attempt to come back in the top of the seventh when Brandywine had problems holding onto the ball, but the Vikes could only bring one run in before Brandywine got three final outs.
Zache picked up her 20th win of the season and currently only has four losses on the mound for Brandywine.
Julie Kater was the losing pitcher, pitching five innings, while Carly Gordon finished the game.
The Vikings were led offensively by Kayla Gross who went 1-for-2 and Nicole Ignowski and Kate Whittake each went 1-for-3.
For the Bobcats, Zache had three singles and Amanda Grice had two.
The Vikings will host Buchanan for a doubleheader on Tuesday. Game time is set for 4:30 p.m.
Brandywine, now 24-6 overall, hosts Dowagiac, which is currently No. 6 in Division 2, on Saturday at 10 a.m.