By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
NILES – The Dowagiac junior varsity baseball team opened up their 2007 seasons on Tuesday at Thomas Stadium.
The Vikings and Chieftains split a non-conference doubleheader. Niles won the first game 4-2, while Dowagiac took the nightcap, 15-4.
Billy Siderits earned his second win of the season as he took the victory in the opening game.
Anthony Gladden was 2-for-3 to lead the Vikings offensively. Niles also got a home run from Dominique Pompey, his third of the year. Andrew Brawley and Tyler Jackson added hits.
Shaun Bruens, who took the loss, went 2-for-2, while Tim DeRyder singled and drove in a run.
Brent O'Brien and Andrew Hurrle both singled and scored a run for the Chieftains.
In the second game, Dowagiac scored three times in the first and second innings, twice in the third, once in the fourth and then six times in the fifth.
Cody Cox picked up the victory in the nightcap.
Dowagiac finished the game with 12 hits. Bruens was 3-for-4 with an RBI, while Tanner Melvin was 2-for-3 with three RBIs. DeRyder was 2-for-3 with a triple and four RBIs.
Tyler First had a two-run home run and finished with three RBIs.
The Chieftains (1-1) also got a double and two RBIs from Adam Roach.
Jackson took the loss on the mound for the Vikings.
Brawley was 2-for-3, while Sean Gordon and Pompey also added hits.