By By DAN WEISS / Niles Daily Star
It was like night and day for the Niles softball team Thursday afternoon at home against Battle Creek Lakeview.
The Vikings rolled to a 13-3 win in six innings to kick off the doubleheader but then suffered a 6-0 shutout in the second game.
Niles, now 11-15 on the year, will host local rival Buchanan today at 4:30 p.m. for another doubleheader.
Eckstein improved to 5-8 on the year with the victory in the first game while Crystal Crouch sunk to 6-7 with the loss in the nightcap.
Kate Whittaker led the Niles hitting attack in the opener with three singles. Tasha Lary added two singles and Krystal Lary helped out with a double.
In the second game Nikki Lintz led the way with two singles.
Niles………13
Lakeview….3
Lakeview 000 012--3 4 1
Niles 602 203--13 13 1
Kari Eckstein (W, 5-8); Andrea Flees (L).
2B: Krystal Lary (N), Angela Rizor (L)
Lakeview….6
Niles………..0
Lakeview 402 000 0--6 6 0
Niles 000 000 0--0 4 4
Ashlee Green (W); Crystal Crouch (L, 6-7).
2B: Heather Dunitham (L)
Team records: Niles 11-15, Lakeview 13-12