By By DAN WEISS / Niles Daily Star
The first three innings of the season were rough for the Niles varsity softball team Thursday afternoon at South Bend (Ind.) Washington.
The host Panthers scored seven runs in three innings while holding Niles scoreless.
The Vikings fought back but suffered an 8-5 loss.
Niles committed four errors while starting pitcher Kari Eckstein gave up 10 hits.
The Vikings, however, managed eight hits of their own to keep things close.
Stephanee Schrader hit two singles while Tasha Lary had a triple. Kylee Mudd, Eckstein, Ashton Parks, Kate Whittaker and Kayla Gross each singled once for Niles.
The Vikings travel to Edwardsburg on Wednesday for a non-conference doubleheader.