The Niles softball team has played four games in the SMAC West Division so far this season.

Both doubleheaders came against the No. 1-ranked teams in the state – Mattawan (Division 1) and Lakeshore (Division 2).

The Lancers, like the Wildcats, wasted little time in proving why they were worthy of such a lofty ranking. Visiting Lakeshore swept the Vikings 14-1 in six innings and 15-2 in seven innings Monday.

Megan McKeel took the loss in the opening game for the Vikings, while Molly VanDeKeere took the loss in the nightcap.

Olivia Jordan had a double in each game for Niles.

“We just have to lose the mistakes,” Nile coach Ryan Frontczak said. “You can’t have more than 10 errors versus a great team like Lakeshore. We just let them put us in the spots we were by not making plays we should have. It’s hard. We all know we are better than this.

“I thought we hit the ball well tonight. We really had chances to score almost every inning. That’s a good thing to say when you face a staff like Lakeshore has. I know it’s hard on our girls going back-to-back games facing No. 1 teams. Our girls did stay positive dealing with the adversity and shows our girls’ character.”

 

First game

Lakeshore 022 505 – 14 10 0

Niles 000 010 – 1 4 7

Megan Hiler (W, 6-0), Haley Thibeault (6); Megan McKeel (L)

2B: Rachael Knapp (L), Rachel Clem (L), Olivia Jordan (N)

Second game

Lakeshore 020 405 4 – 15 16 3

Niles 200 000 0 – 2 3 5

Rachael Knapp (W, 1-0), Haley Thibeault (6); Molly VanDeKeere (L)

2B: Thibeault (L), Knapp (L) 2, Olivia Jordan (N)

Varsity records: Lakeshore 8-0, 4-0 West DIvision, Niles 2-4, 0-4 West