By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Nine runs wasn't enough to keep the Niles varsity softball team from being swept at the Clay Invitational on Saturday.
The Lady Vikings (6-18) dropped a heart-breaking 1-0 decision to the host school in the semifinals and then lost a 10-9 decision to LaPorte (Ind.) in the consolation contest.
Niles managed just three hits in the first game against the Lady Colonials from Kayla Gross, Julie Kater and Kate Whittaker.
Kater suffered the loss despite giving up just five hits and one run.
In the second game Niles had nine runs on 10 hits.
Stephanee Schrader doubled for the Lady Vikings and Kater, Nicole Ignowski, Gross, Kylee Mudd and Karly Kennedy all added hits for Niles.
Kater took the loss in the second game and now stands 5-11 on the mound.
Dowagiac won the tournament with a 4-0 victory over Clay in the title game.
The Lady Vikes will return to the field on Tuesday when they host St. Joseph for a Big 16 doubleheader.