By Staff
The Niles baseball team couldn't come back from an early deficit in game one, but managed to erase Kalamazoo Central's lead in game two for a split in Thursday's Southwest Michigan Athletic Conference doubleheader.
The visiting Maroon Giants led 3-0 after five innings of play in the first game. Niles managed just one run and took the 3-1 loss.
In the second game, however, an early 1-0 lead for Kalamazoo Central didn't stop the Vikings. Niles rallied for three runs in the second inning and a fourth in the third. The lead was good enough for the victory as Niles recorded the 4-2 win.
Ryne Dowling (1-2) took the loss in the first game and Brooks Bonner (3-1) picked up the win in the second.
Niles managed just one hit in the first game, a single by Bonner, off Kalamazoo Central pitcher Owen Grau (5-1).
In the second game, however, the Vikings ripped six hits off Mike Busby (0-1). Casey Hood had half of those hits with two singles and a double. Josh Henry added a single and a double and Kyle Kidwell hit one single.
The Vikings, now 14-13 on the year, will return to action Tuesday at Mattawan for another SMAC doubleheader.
Kalamazoo Central….3
Niles………………………1
K. Central 110 010 0--3 6 0
Niles 000 001 0--1 1 2
Owen Grau (W, 5-1) and James Varnesdeel; Ryne Dowling (L, 1-2) and Kyle Kidwell.
2B: Jason Leyva (K)
Niles……………………..4
Kalamazoo Central….2
K. Central 100 010 0--2 8 0
Niles 031 000 x--4 6 0
Brooks Bonner (W, 3-1) and Kyle Kidwell; Mike Busby (L, 0-1), Kyle Weitemamp (4) and Ryan Schoolmaster.
2B: Casey Hood (N), Josh Henry (N), Zach Grau (K), Lee Vanstreaian (K)
Team records: Niles 14-13, Kalamazoo Central 17-9