New scene for Niles baseball team

Published 7:10 am Wednesday, April 19, 2006

By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - It was an entirely new scene Tuesday evening for the Niles varsity baseball team.
The Vikes not only had their season home opener, but also played their first game on the new baseball field located at the high school. For years, Niles has played at Thomas Stadium.
Niles hosted Portage Central for a Big 16 non-divisional game. The Mustangs took a 7-5 win in game one, with the nightcap ending in a 6-6 tie due to darkness.
After three innings, the game was tied 3-3 in the first game. Portage Central jumped to a 5-3 lead when it scored two runs in the top of the fifth.
The Vikings came back to tie the game at five in the bottom of the seventh, but the Mustangs scored two runs in the top of the eighth and held Niles in the bottom of the inning to earn the win.
Drew Donohue suffered the loss at the mound against Chris Higgins.
Top hitters were Tim Hardy and Rick Storm, who both went 2-for-3 with two singles.
In the second game, Portage Central had a 5-1 lead heading into the bottom of the third. The Vikes rallied to score five runs in the inning to take a 6-4 lead. Portage Central was able to bring one additional run across the plate in the fourth. But neither team could score as the game was called.
Dustin Anderson and Hardy both pitched for Niles in the nightcap.
Top hitters were Josh Beers and Alex Welch, both contributing one double each.
The Vikes will travel to Sturgis on Thursday for another non-divisional doubleheader set to begin at 4 p.m.