NILES — Host Niles rallied for a 6-4 victory in eight innings over Lakeshore as the Vikings and Lancers split a SMAC West Division doubleheader Tuesday.

Lakeshore rebounded to win the nightcap 6-4.

After scoring three runs in the bottom of the seventh to tie the score at 5-5, Niles’ Kelsey Barkman singled on the first pitch she faced to drive in the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Barkman and Taylor Altergott both had a pair of hits for Niles.

Freshman Mya Syson picked up the victory in the circle for the Vikings. She scattered five hits, while striking out five.

“It was a huge split,” Niles coach Dale Myer said. “It was a huge comeback in the first game. It was a battle.”

In the nightcap, the Lancers scored two runs in the top of the seventh to rally for the victory and earn the split.

“In the second game we made them work and earn it,” Myer said. “We did not hit the ball all that great in either game, so to come out of that with a split against Lakeshore that is a positive note.”

Altergott, Barkman and Brooke Timm all had two hits for Niles. Altergott and Rachel Moore both doubled.

Megan Younger, daughter of former Dowagiac standouts Jeanna and Greg Younger, was 2-for-3 with three RBIs in the first game. Shelby Grau, daughter of former Chieftain standout Melissa (Emmons) Grau had a pair of doubles and drove in two runs.

In the nightcap, Younger was 1-for-3 with an RBI, while Grau was 2-for-4, driving in a pair of runs.

Niles hosts Edwardsburg in a non-conference twinbill today.