By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Like Niles' girls softball team, the Vikings baseball team had a little bit of a battle in one-of-two games Tuesday afternoon against visiting Benton Harbor.
The Vikes took a pretty easy 9-1 win in the first game, but only won by one run in the second game, 3-2.
Niles had a six run lead in the first game before the Tigers were able to score their one and only run in the top of the fifth.
Lyle Watson and Cory Coquillard hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning and Josh Henry also added a home run for the Vikes.
Jesse Sallak had a double and Adrian Davis added three singles offensively for Niles.
Coquillard earned the picthing win against Justin Williams with 10 strike outs, one walk and only four hits.
Niles had a small one run lead to start the second game, but the Tigers were able to score two runs in the top of the fourth to give them a 2-1 lead.
Benton Harbor held the Vikes scoreless in the bottom of the fourth, but two runs in the fifth put Niles back in the lead 3-2 and was enough to give it the victory.
Sallak picked up the win on the mound with Matt Richardson the save.
Watson was the top hitter for Niles with a double.
The Vikes, now 21-7 overall, will travel to Penn again today to face Jimtown as tournament play continues. Game times are yet o be determined.