By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Thirty four hits and 30 runs were just what the doctor ordered for the visiting Niles softball team Thursday afternoon in Three Oaks.
The Lady Vikings (8-15) swept a non-conference doubleheader from River Valley, 15-0 and 15-4.
In the opening game Julie Kater (5-9) went the distance for the Lady Vikings, allowing just one hit in tossing a shut out.
Niles banged out 16 hits in the contest and scored four runs in each of the first three innings and then three runs in the fourth inning to end the due due to the 15-run rule.
Stephanee Schrader went 3-for-3 with two doubles in the opening game for the Lady Vikings, who got a 2-for-3 performance with two doubles from Kater.
Lindsay Carey was 3-for-3, while Kate Whittaker was 2-for-4. Carey and Whittaker both doubled, as did Nicole Ignowski.
Kayla Gross and Shelley Aurand both were 2-for-3.
In the second game, Kylee Mudd (3-6) earned the victory as she scattered seven hits over five innings.
Niles finished with 18 hits in the nightcap, led by Gross, who went 3-for-4 with three doubles and two RBIs.
Schrader was also 3-for-4 and drove in three runs. Carey went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles, while Whittaker was 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and two RBIs.
Niles also got a double from Kater.
The Lady Vikings return to action on Saturday when they travel to South Bend, Ind. to compete in the Clay Invitational.
which is scheduled to begin at noon.