By Staff
The Niles baseball team finally lost its rhythm.
The Vikings, previously unbeaten in five games, dropped a pair of games at Portage Central Saturday in Southwest Michigan Athletic Conference action.
Niles, now 5-2, returns to action Tuesday at home against St. Joseph for a SMAC West Division doubleheader.
Matt Richardson and John Kessick took the pitching losses for the Vikings.
Nick Saviano had the team's highlight of the day when he hit a grand slam in the first game.
Saviano, Casey Hood, Josh Henry, Kyle Isabel and Kessick each had a single as well in the first game.
In the second game Kyle Kidwell doubled for Niles.
Hood had a pair of singles while Cory Coquillard, Ryne Dowling and Brooks Bonner each hit one single.
Portage Central….7
Niles………………….6
Brandon Goodman (W) and Nate Boyerwyk; Brooks Bonner, Matt Richardson (L) and Kyle Kidwell.
HR: Nick Saviano (N)
Portage Central….9
Niles…………………7
Cale Ort (W) and Nate Boyerwyk; John Kessick (L) and Kyle Kidwell.
2B: Kidwell (N)
Team records: Portage Central 3-2, Niles 5-2