By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - The Niles varsity baseball team opened its season with a doubleheader win Friday night against Brandywine 3-2, 3-1.
The Vikings took an early lead in the first inning with Josh Henry scoring on a past ball.
The game stayed pretty quiet for the next four innings. Niles struggled with its hitting and the Bobcats had a tough time on defense.
Lyle Watson brought some light to the game when he smashed a home run out of the park to drive in two runs and put the Vikings up 3-0.
Zach Bennett was able to drive in Brandywine's first run in the top of the sixth when he nailed a single to left field to bring in Josh Atwood, who was on second.
The Vikings were able to get two runners in position to score, but Aaron Roulston was tagged out on a run down play between third and home to end the sixth.
Jake Harris started the seventh inning with an infield single. Noah Udell attempted a bunt, but was thrown out at first advancing Harris to second.
Harris was able to steal third and evenetually made it home when Cory Coquillard dropped the third strike.
With two outs, Alex Newman attempted to steal second, but was thown out by Coquillard and ended the first game with Niles taking the 3-2 win.
In the second game it was Brandywine which took the 1-0 lead in the second inning. Kory Bridges was able to score on a Vikings error.
The Bobcats played strong defensively and only allowed two Niles players on base until the bottom of the sixth.
Niles was able to pull it together in the bottom of the sixth. Coquillard was hit by Bobcat pitcher Bennett and Adrian Davis was walked to put two runners on base.
Brandywine coach Dave Sidenbender didn't agree with the call.
Watson hit a single up the center to bring Coquillard in and give Niles its first run of the second game. Jesse Sallak was also walked to put him on base.
Jake Messner was up with two outs and bases loaded. Messner was hit in the back by a wild pitch from Bennett to put him base and bring in Davis and give the Vikings the 2-1 lead.
With bases still loaded Steve Clanton got a single to first to allow Watson to score and put Niles up 3-1.
JD Miller started the seventh inning for the Bobcats. Miller hit a fly ball to center, but Henry caight it to give the Vikings their first out.
Clanton was able to strike out the next two Brandywine batters to give Niles the 3-1 second game win.
Brandywine, now 0-2, will travel to Clay High School on Tuesday. Game time is set for 3 p.m.
The Vikings, now 1-0, return to action April 9 at the South Bend Adams Invitational set to begin at 10 a.m.