By Staff
The Niles Junior Baseball Knights came up short in the USSSA Triple Threat Memorial Day Tournament in Battle Creek.
The Knights were 3-0 in pool play but lost in the semifinals.
In the first game the Knights defeated the West Michigan Lumberkings 8-0.
Jamie Simpson earned the victory, pitching a complete-game shutout, allowing only two hits and striking out eight. Simpson led the offense as well, going 4-for-4 with three doubles and three RBIs. Alex Welch, Dan Holland and Jake Harris all were 2-for-3 at the plate.
In game two, Niles defeated the Michigan Stars 8-0 in four innings.
Nick Fedore got the win with Jeff Jurgonski coming in for the save. Harris led the Niles offense with a two-RBI triple, his second of the season. Kyle Prak, Alex Welch and Fedore each had doubles for Niles.
In game three the Carter Lumber Wolverines were a tournament no-show, giving the Knights a forfeit win and a berth in the semifinals.
In the semifinal game the Knights fell to the Lumberkings 5-4 in extra innings.
The Knights had trouble generating offense against strong Lumberking pitching, only managing five hits and only one extra-base hit, a double by Prak. Also getting hits for the Knights were Simpson and Harris.
Fedore took the loss for Niles. Winning pitcher Josh Miller threw 14 strikeouts.
The Knights, now 21-4, are back in action tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Champ's Field against The Kalamazoo Sting.