PORTAGE — Visiting Niles was swept in SMAC baseball by Portage Northern Tuesday.

The Vikings dropped the opener to the Huskies 8-1 and then were edged by Portage Northern 4-3 in nine innings.

The losses dropped Niles to 8-3 on the season and 2-2 against SMAC teams.

The Vikings were held to just five hits in the opening game.

Alex Hardy was 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Jason Hoida doubled.

Cody Thornton took the loss for Niles.

In the nightcap, Thornton was 3-for-4, while Chris Frantz was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Jacob Hamm, who took the loss in relief of starter Jake Huffman, doubled for the Vikings.

 

NILES 1-3, PORTAGE NORTHERN 8-4

First Game

Niles                000     000     1 – 1 5 2

Northern        200     303     x – 8 9 1

Cody Thornton (L)

2B: Jason Hoida (N)

 

Second Game

Niles                010     200     000 – 3 8 1

Northern        011     000     101 – 4 11 3

Jake Huffman, Jacob Hamm (L, 8)

2B: Hamm (N)

Varsity record: Niles 8-3, 2-2 SMAC