By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
NILES - The Brandywine varsity softball team staved off an upset bid by visiting River Valley Friday night to remain atop the Lakeland Conference standings.
The Lady Bocats (17-4 overall, 10-0 LAC) blanked the Lady Mustangs in the first game, 8-0.
In the nightcap, however, it was a different story.
Brandywine had to withstand a strong effort by River Valley to remain tied with Coloma for first place in the league.
Kelli Zache picked up the victory in both contest, striking out 12 in the first game and then 10 more in the second contest.
In the first game the Lady Bobcats held a slim 2-0 lead until Zache cracked a three-run home run over the left field fence to extend the lead to 5-0.
It was the second home run of the season for Zache.
Ashley Antus had a double and a single for Brandywine, which also got a doule, a single and an RBI from Amanda Grice. Nikki Martyniuk also doubled.
In the second game Antus collected another double, while Kendra Zache and Angela Newman both singled and doubled. Newman also drove in a run.
Dee Echavarria added a double.
The Lady Bobcats, ranked No. 7 in the latest coaches poll, returns to action on Wednesday when it hosts Coloma in a Lakeland Conference showdown.
The first of two games is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.