By By DAN WEISS / Niles Daily Star
Twenty-five hits in two games usually spells success and did for the Niles varsity softball team Thursday at Benton Harbor.
The Lady Vikings swept a Big 16 Conference doubleheader from the Tigers with wins of 13-2 and 10-0.
Kari Eckstein earned the victory in the first game as she struck out 10 batters and gave up just four hits. Julie Kater threw a one-hitter with six strikeouts for the victory in the second game.
Niles (6-1) played error-free softball Thursday while Benton Harbor had four mistakes in the first game and five in the second.
The Vikings peppered the Tigers with 14 hits in the first game and 11 in the second.
Lindsay Carey and Stephanee Schrader each had three hits in the opener. Lauryn Gibson added a single and a double while Ashton Parks had two hits.
In the second game Parks pounded out two triples while Schrader again had three hits including a double. Kate Whittaker helped out with a single and a triple and Kater helped herself with a triple. Kylee Mudd and Kayla Gross each had one hit.
The Vikings return to action Monday at home against Lakeshore.
Baseball
The Niles varsity baseball team split a Big 16 Conference West Division dobuleheader at Benton Harbor Thursday evening.
The Vikings (6-2) earned a 2-1 victory in the opener but dropped a 9-3 decision in the second game.
John Kessick earned the victory in the opener as he struck out 13 batters and gave up just four hits.
Kyle Isabel doubled and Nick Downng hit two singles to lead Niles at the plate in the first game.
Matt Richardson suffered the loss on the mound for Niles in the second game. Kyle Kidwell came on in relief and worked one inning.
Kidwell hit a double and Steve Clanton added two singles.
The Vikings return to action Saturday at home against East Lansing for a non-conference doubleheader starting at noon.