By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES -The Division 2 softball district tournament will kick off today, as the Niles Lady Vikings head to Lakeshore to take on the Lancers in the opening game.
This will prove to be one of the toughest match-ups of the tournament, as both the Vikes and Lancers are known for their powerhouse softball programs this season.
Lakeshore got the best of Niles just last week, when they handed the Vikes two losses.
"The district match-up could be a good one. It all depends on which Niles team shows up. We beat ourselves twice last week and that's the frustrating part. If we're clean defensivedly, it'll be a game," Niles coach Jim Arnold said.
The Vikings are hitting .252 as a team, and are averaging just one error per game. Cricket Fisher and Shelley Aurand are both hitting over .300 for the Vikes and pitcher Jenna Ignowski is 0.30 with a 23-9 record in the circle.
"Jenna's going to keep us in the game, but we'll need to bring a lot more offensive fire power to pull off the win," Arnold added.
In other district action, the Niles varsity baseball team will also face Lakeshore today at 4:30 p.m. Niles fell to the Lancers in two games last week, but are hoping to turn things around in the tournament.
If both teams win, they will play in the semifinals on Saturday.