By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
The Dowagiac varsity softball team gained a measure of revenge on its way to winning the Clay Softball Invitational on Saturday in South Bend, Ind.
The Chieftains (24-5) blanked Niles, 2-0, in the title game to earn some revenge from Thursday, when Dowagiac dropped a 2-1 decision to the Lady Vikings.
Sophomore Ashley Willis (3-0) tossed a two-hitter against Niles in the championship game with six strikeouts. Willis did not walk a single batter.
Dowagiac finished with five hits, including the game-winning hit from Brianne Reist in the sixth inning.
Reist drove in both runs with a single up the middle off of Niles' Kari Eckstein.
Eckstein struck out two in going six innings.
Lary and Kate Whittaker both doubled for Niles' two hits.
Niles…….6
LaPorte…2
The Lady Vikings used eight hits to scored six runs in the first round Saturday. Niles scored four runs in the fourth inning and the other two in the fifth.
Julie Kater picked up the pitching victory, improving her record to 6-3.
Ashton Parks and Lindsay Carey each hit two singles to lead the Vikings at the plate.