Niles softball improved to 11-3 on the year with a sweep of visiting Bridgman in non-league softball Thursday.

The Vikings rallied to beat the Bees (7-6) 9-6 in the first game and then blew out Bridgman 16-4 in five innings in the nightcap.

Olivia Jordan joined Niles’ home run club as she swatted her first of the year, while Mackenzie Shields doubled in the first game.

In the second game, Niles finished with 15 hits, including a pair of home runs and a double by Courtney Ankrapp. Jordan, Shields and Tala Gentry, who was the winning pitcher in both games, all doubled.

“We can flat hit the ball right now,” Niles coach Ryan Frontczak said.  “Our girls did an amazing job adjusting to the ball and driving it. I would have never thought we would be able to hit home runs today with the wind blowing like it was tonight, but we did. We had three and it was impressive to see us drive the softball.

“I know the girls were tired today after a long week of games, but they still showed up and did there jobs. We have some work to do on communication on the other side of the ball, but we will get there.”

 

First game

Bridgman                   102     020     1 – 6 6 2

Niles                            001     602     x – 9 13 2

Ashley Crowder (L); Tala Gentry (W)

2B: Lexy Deckert (B), Mackenzie Shields (N)

HR: Olivia Jordan (N)

 

Second game

Bridgman                   003     01 – 4 7 2

Niles                            265     3x – 16 15 3

Mia Rankin (L), Casey Shembarger (3); Tala Gentry (W)

2B: Jordan Jones (B), Kennedy Jones (B), Olivia Jordan (N), Courtney Ankrapp (N), Mackenzie Shields (N), Tala Gentry (N)

HR: Casey Shembarger (B), Courtney Ankrapp (N) 2

 

Varsity records: Niles 11-3, Bridgman 7-6