Battling for a pair of district championships

Published 9:53 pm Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Alex Walter get his hacks in at the plate Monday night against Three Rivers. Niles advanced to Tuesday night’s championship game of the Junior Division, but was defeated by Schoolcraft 10-9. (Daily Star photo/AMELIO RODRIGUEZ)

Alex Walter get his hacks in at the plate Monday night against Three Rivers. Niles advanced to Tuesday night’s championship game of the Junior Division, but was defeated by Schoolcraft 10-9. (Daily Star photo/AMELIO RODRIGUEZ)

By SCOTT NOVAK

Niles Daily Star

The Niles Junior All-Star squad gave up four runs in the bottom of the sixth and dropped a 10-9 decision in the Michigan District 15 championship game Tuesday evening at Thomas Stadium.

Niles had advanced to the championship game after defeating Three Rivers 13-5 on Monday night in the consolation semifinals.

The All-Stars trailed 4-0 right out of the gate, but a four-run third inning allowed Niles to knot the score.

Three Rivers took a brief 5-4 lead in the top half of the fourth, but Niles scored six times in the bottom of the frame to go up 10-5.

The All-Stars tacked on three more runs in the fifth to break the game wide open.

Niles finished with 11 hits in the contest, led by London Kulwicki, who singled, doubled, scored two runs and drove in a pair of runs.

Niles also got a double and two RBIs from both Nick Borkowski and Dustin Rockey, while Matt Schiele and Matt Miller both doubled and drove in a run.

The Niles Senior All-Stars were also in action Tuesday night as they played the late game against Schoolcraft at Thomas Stadium.

Results were unavailable at press time.

Niles reached the title game with a 6-5 win over Cassopolis Monday night.

Cassopolis scored all five of its runs in the opening inning against Niles.

Niles began its comeback with a run in the second and then tied the score at 5-5 with a four-run third inning.

Niles scored the winning run in the top of the sixth.

The All-Stars finished with seven hits.

Dallas Munger singled, scored a run and drove in a pair, while Tyler Fisher added a single and an RBI.

Ben Getz had two hits for Niles, which also got singles from Brian Exner and Evan Zimmerman.

Alec Landon had a double for Niles.