By By DAN WEISS / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- The Niles softball team had a record of 8-14 on Monday.
After a busy week, including a sweep of local rival Buchanan Friday night, the Lady Vikings are now 13-15.
Niles needed an extra inning to beat the Bucks 2-1 in Friday's opener but rolled to a 7-0 win in the nightcap.
After falling behind in the third inning of the opening game, Niles rallied to tie it in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI from Ashton Parks.
The Vikings held Buchanan scoreless in the top of the eighth and Kayla Gross opened the bottom of the frame with a double to left center field. Kate Whittaker followed with a sacrifice slap to second base.
Buchanan coach Mike Welsh opted to intentionally walk the next two batters in hopes of an easy force play at home.
Niles junior Jessica Johnson had other plans, however, and brought home the winning run on a hard drive to left center field.
Niles did most of its damage in the second game during a five-run fourth inning. Buchanan pitcher Jennifer Klutts threw three wild pitches that gave up runs as well.
Kari Eckstein earned the win for Niles in the first game and Crystal Crouch picked up the win in the second game.
Niles had eight hits in the first contest and nine in the second.
Buchanan managed just eight hits in both games combined.
Niles…………2
Buchanan….1
Buchanan 001 000 00--1 2 4
Niles 000 000 11--2 8 3
Kari Eckstein (W) and Nikki Lintz; Caryn Dodson (L) and Tara Paturalski.
2B: Kayla Gross (N)
Niles…………7
Buchanan….0
Buchanan 000 000 0--0 3 4
Niles 002 500 0--7 9 0
Crystal Crouch (W) and Nikki Lintz; Jennifer Klutts (L) and Tara Paturalski.
Team records: Niles 13-15, Buchanan 15-14