By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - It wasn't exactly the game Niles varsity softball coach Jim Arnold was hoping for.
The Vikings hosted northern Indiana power Mishawaka for a pair of interstate games and fell in both, 5-3 and 7-0.
In the first game, Niles fell behind early and was unable to catch up.
The Caveman (11-6), scored three runs in the first inning after some strong hitting and defensive errors on the Vikings part.
Niles scored its first two runs in the bottom of the fourth, but one run in the sixth and seventh innings kept the Caveman in control. The Vikes' only other run came in the bottom of the sixth.
Kelsey Egyhazi took the pitching win for Mishawaka, while Jenna Ignowski suffered the loss.
Top hitters were Nicole Ignowski with a double and a single and Nellie Coquillard with two singles.
In the second game, which lasted only four innings, The Caveman struck again, this time holding Niles to no runs.
Mishawaka opened the game scoring two runs in the first and went on to score two more runs in the third and three in the second to claim the win.
Nicole Ignowski provided the only hits for Niles as she contributed two singles at the plate.
Jenna Ignowski, now 6-4, again suffered the loss in the circle with Janessa Dewitt picking up the win.
Niles will travel to Battle Creek Lakeview today for a pair of non-conference games.