By By STEVE MORRISON / Niles Daily Star
NILES – In game one of a twinbill, some timely two out clutch hitting by Mikie Simpson and Asaad Ali plated a total of four of Niles' seven runs as the Viking baseball team removed the visiting Hartford Indians from the ranks of the undefeated baseball teams on Wednesday.
Niles defeated Hartford 7-2 in the first contest behind the combined pitching of starter, Zach Bloss (now 2-0) and Nick Hartman. Hartford could only manage to dent the scoreboard for one earned run, on a total of five hits for the game.
After Bloss walked the Indians' leadoff man, Chas Burchett, he settled right into form, forcing a pop up from Brandon Davis to Niles first sacker, Andrew Brawley. Bloss then induced Hartford's Chris Cook to ground into a well-executed inning-ending double play, 6-4-3.
Niles' second baseman, Alex Welch, led off the first with a walk and promptly stole second base. Bloss beat out a dribbler to second.
With Welch and Bloss running on a double steal, Hartford catcher, Burchett, uncorked a wild throw, scoring Welch for Niles' first run. Mikie Simpson's single drove in Bloss for Niles' second tally. A base-running gaffe by Simpson resulted in a rundown, and Niles did no more damage in the first inning.
Bloss struck out the side in the top of the second, freezing Ronnie Kinchen with a curve on 3-2 to polish off his work.
Earls set down the home team in order in the bottom of the second inning.
Nick Hartman took over the mound chores for the Vikings in the top of the third. After one out, Indians centerfielder John Ruggio reached on a solid single for Hartford's first hit. Ruggio stole second, moments later. Hartmann fanned Ryan Reed and looked to get out of the inning, but an error on third baseman Kevin Gross and a single by Brandon Davis gifted Hartford with an unearned tally.
Niles answered in its half of the third. Welch singled to start it off. One out later, Simpson reached on an error from Hartford second baseman Joey Newnum. After a pop-up to third off the bat of Andrew Brawley, Asaad Ali ripped a two-out single that hugged the third base line, driving in two runs, putting Niles up 4-1.
Hartford tried to come back in their fourth inning at bat. A two out single by Kinchen, a walk, and a double by Ruggio added another Hartford run. Hartman wiggled out of the tension by forcing a sharp ground ball to Welch, who tossed out the batter Reed at first.
Alec Taylor's double knocked in Anthony Gladden for Niles in the bottom of the fourth. Bloss and Taylor scored in the sixth due to an error at short, some hit batsmen and a RBI single by Simpson, his second of the contest.
Hartford could only muster one hit off of Hartman in their last three at bats, and the Vikings sailed to the land of victory.
While he was pleased with the victory, Niles coach Mike Vota challenged his team.
"We've got to come out with more intensity; we're kind of flat right now," he stated "I'm looking for a little sparkplug. I want to see something to get us going. We're not playing bad, but we're not playing with the same enthusiasm that we got at the beginning of the year," he said.
In the nightcap, Niles crushed a fatigued Indian squad 13-3. Vota called it "winning ugly." Although Niles had only five hits, it was aided by a ton of bases on balls from Hartford's pitching staff.
Starting pitcher Jake Ferguson, moved his record to 3-2. After walking in the first run of the game in the top of the first with two outs and the bags loaded, Ferguson settled down to gain control of his pitches and the opposing hitters. Hartford could only scratch out five hits in the game.
Taylor Robson relieved for the Vikings and pitched well for the last two innings.
Niles reached double digit status with the twin-killing. Its season record now stands at 10-2. As a result, Niles is now ranked No. 3 in the state in Division II by officials, in new rankings just issued today.
First Game
Hartford 001 100 0 – 2 5 4
Niles 202 102 x – 7 7 2
WP – Zach Bloss (N) and Asaad Ali
LP – Phillip Earls (H) and Chas Burchett
2B: Alec Taylor (N), John Ruggio (H)
Second Game
Hartford 12 00 – 3 5 1
Niles 20(10) 1x – 13 5 1
WP – Jake Ferguson (N)
LP – Cody Scott (H)