BRIDGMAN — Host Bridgman rallied for a pair of one-run victories over Niles Thursday.

The Bees scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh to win the opener 6-5, while in the nightcap, which was called after six innings due to darkness, Bridgman scored a run in the fifth to earn the 7-6 victory.

“Our girls are battling night in and night out and simply need to learn how to win,” Niles coach Rick McKeel said. “We’re young and missing a key player that I hope will get us over the hump. We hit the ball hard tonight, had several balls I thought were down, but credit Bridgman they made some good plays in the field.”

The Vikings (4-7) outhit the Bees 10-7 in the first game.

Delaney Shields was 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Tegan Bays was 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Kylee Myer finished the game 2-for-3.

Megan McKeel took the loss in relief.

In the nightcap, Shields was 2-for-4 and Kyleigh Deming 2-for-3 for the Vikings. McKeel drove in three of Niles’ five runs.

Addison Davies took the loss in relief.

“We’re very young with only two seniors,” McKeel said. “I’m proud of the heart we showed tonight. The girls played with passion. They deserve better results. We’re very close, just need make more plays at crucial times.”

 

BRIDGMAN 6-7, NILES 5-6

First Game

Niles                001     100     3 – 5 10 1

Bridgman       000     020     4 – 6 7 1

Riggenbach, Rankins (5), Crowder (W, 7) and Keller; Addison Davies, Michelle Crouch (6), Megan McKeel (L, 7) and Kylee Myer

2B: Kelly (B) 2, Jones (B)

 

Second Game

Niles                203     100 – 6 12 1

Bridgman       330     01x – 7 8 0

Riggenbach, Crowder (W, 5) and Keller; Michelle Crouch, Holly Walker (3), Addison Davies (L, 5) and Kylee Myer

2B: Delaney Shields (N), Myer (N), Enders (B), Jones (B)

3B: Crowder (B)

Varsity record: Niles 4-7