Buchanan takes two from Vikings

Published 10:08 am Monday, April 18, 2016

Niles senior Tegan Bays was back in the line up for the Vikings at the Chieftain Invitational Saturday. (Leader photo/SCOTT NOVAK)

Niles senior Tegan Bays was back in the line up for the Vikings at the Chieftain Invitational Saturday. (Leader photo/SCOTT NOVAK)

It was not necessarily a pretty win, but the Buchanan Bucks will take it.

Despite committing three errors in each game and walking a combined 10 batters, Buchanan was able to knock off host Niles 9-4 and 12-2 in non-league softball action Thursday.

“It is clear we have a lot of opportunities to get better, we will continue to go to work to improve in all areas of the game,” Niles coach Rick McKeel said. “Clearly we were not at our best tonight and we made too many mistakes and Buchanan took advantage of that.”

The second game was called after six innings.

Ali Kyles singled twice and homered for Buchanan, which also got three singles and a double from first game winning pitcher Sammi Luzadre.

Jayla Biss, Emma Schmidt and Ericka Donathen each had two hits for the Bucks.

Niles was led offensively by losing pitcher Brooke Timm, who had two hits.

In the nightcap, Maddie Hemphill struck out five and walked a pair of batters to earn the victory in the circle for the Bucks.

Schmidt led the Buchanan offense with three hits, while Morgan Lenox added a pair of singles.

Sadie Fountain doubled for the Vikings.

On Saturday, The Vikings were 1-2 at the Dowagiac Chieftain Invitational.

Niles lost to Watervliet 5-2, Dowagiac 6-3 and defeated Fennville 11-1.

In its win over Fennville, Michelle Crouch was 3-for-3 with double and three RBIs. Timm was 2-for-4 with a triple, home run and three RBIs.

Niles also got a double and a triple from Kaitlin Daly.