By SCOTT NOVAK
Dowagiac Daily News

NILES – 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.

“It’s tough to keep playing hard after giving up that many in the first few innings to a really superb pitcher in Garner,” Dowagiac coach Bryan Henry said. “Defensively, we have got to stay out of the big inning. I am looking forward to getting better over break. I am confident that our bats will wake up as well.”

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