By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
Visiting Niles took advantage of 10 Dowagiac errors Thursday afternoon as they Vikings swept a Big-16 Conference West Division doubleheader from the Chieftains at Rotary Park.
Dowagiac (16-7, 2-4) committed four errors in Niles' 2-0 victory in the opening game. The Chieftains then committed six errors in the nightcap as the Vikings posted a 9-5 win.
Niles' John Kessick was a one-man wrecking crew against the Chieftains in the first game.
Kessick tossed a two-hitter for the Vikings and helped his own cause with a solo home run.
Niles (11-10, 4-4) scored single runs in the second and sixth innings. The Vikings finished with just five hits off of Dowagiac's Davey Moran, who suffered his second straight setback. Josh Henry and Nick Saviano both doubled for the Vikings.
In the nightcap the two teams opened up the offenses and sprayed the ball around Rotary Park.
Dowagiac led 3-0 heading into the third inning and 6-2 before Niles scored twice in the sixth and then five times in the seventh to gain the sweep.
Dowagiac's three errors and a balk helped Niles score five unearned runs in the pivotal seventh inning.
Kessick was the hero for the Vikings in the second game as well as he drove in the go-ahead runs.
Niles finished with nine hits off of Chieftain starter Chris Singleton and reliever Brandon Zachary. Zachary took the loss.
Cory Coquillard homered and doubled for the Vikings, who also got a double from Kessick.
Dowagiac finished with 10 hits off of Niles' pitchers Matt Richardson and Adrain Davis. Davis earned the victory in relief.
Richie Burling homered for the Chieftains, while Eddie Campbell and Matt Carlson both doubled.
First Game
Niles 010 001 0 -- 2 5 0
Dowagiac 000 000 0 -- 0 2 4
John Kessick (W, 2-2); Davey Moran (L, 4-3)
2B: Josh Henry (N), Nick Saviano (N)
3B: Jonathon Bartee (D)
HR: John Kessick (N)
Second Game
Niles 001 102 5 -- 9 9 2
Dowagiac 211 100 0 -- 5 10 6
Matt Richardson, Adrain Davis (W, 4); Chris Singleton, Brandon Zachary (L, 4-1)
2B: Cory Coquillard (N), John Kessick (N), Matt Carlson (D), Eddie Campbell (D)
HR: Cory Coquillard (N), Richie Burling (D)
Records: Niles 11-10 (4-4 SMAC), Dowagiac 16-7 (2-4 SMAC)