By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
NILES - The Niles varsity baseball team split a non-conference doubleheader with visiting Paw Paw Saturday night.
The Vikings (15-3) and ranked No. 8 in the latest coaches poll, dropped the opening game, 7-3.
The Vikings rallied for the split by taking the nightcap, 6-2.
Niles finished with nine hits in the opening game led by Lyle Watson who was 2-for-3 with a home run.
The Vikings also got two hits from Steve Clanton and Josh Henry. Cory Coquillard added a double.
Adrian Davis worked the first three innings and took the loss for the Vikings. Davis gave up three runs on six hits.
Watson pitched the final four innings, giving up four runs on six hits.
In the second game the Vikings scored early and often.
Niles took a 1-0 lead after an inning of play, but trailed 2-1 heading into the bottom of the second.
Niles scored twice in the second inning and then twice more in the third inning to open up a 5-2 advantage.
Niles completed the scoring with a run in the sixth.
Clanton picked up the victory in relief of starter jesse Sallak.
Sallak worked the first three innings, allowing two runs on two hits.
Clanton pitched the final four innings, allowing just one hit with five strikeouts.
First game
Paw Paw 102 010 3 - 7 12 1
Niles 000 120 0 - 3 9 3
Andrian Davis (L)
2B: Cory Coquillard (N)
HR: Lyle Watson (D)
Second game
Paw Paw 020 000 0 - 2 3 3
Niles 122 00 1 x - 6 9 3
Steve Clanton (W)
2B: matt Richardson (N) 2, Adrian Davis (N)
Varsity records: Paw Paw 14-5; Niles 15-3