By Staff
The Niles varsity softball team, looking to even its record at 14-14 by week's end, swept a Southwest Michigan Athletic Conference doubleheader at Battle Creek Harper Creek Tuesday.
The Vikings, now 10-14 on the year, scored wins of 9-7 and 6-3 over the host Beavers.
Kari Eckstein earned the win for Niles in the first game to raise her record to 4-8. Crystal Crouch improved to 6-6 with the win in the second game. Eckstein picked up the save in the second game.
Krystal Lary led Niles at the plate with three hits in the first game and one in the second. Lindsay Carey, Ashton Parks and Nikki Lintz each had two hits in the second.
Kayla Gross, Kate Whittaker and Stephanee Schrader each singled in the opening game.
Niles hosts Battle Creek Lakeview for a doubleheader on Thursday before hosting Buchanan for a pair on Friday.
Niles……………..9
Harper Creek….7
Niles 501 300 0--9 6 4
Harper Creek 201 400 0--7 8 3
Kari Eckstein (W, 4-8); Hunsiker (L).
Niles……………..6
Harper Creek….3
Niles 004 010 1--6 11 1
Harper Creek 001 020 0--3 8 3
Crystal Crouch (W, 6-6), Kari Eckstein (S); Bale (L).
Team records: Niles 10-14