By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
MISHAWAKA, Ind. – Unlike Friday night's showdown between No. 1 ranked Niles and No. 6 ranked Mishawaka, Saturday's championship game of the Caveman Classic was no contest.
The undefeated and top-ranked Lady Vikings edged the Cavemen 1-0 on Friday evening. On Saturday, after edging Buchanan 4-0 in the morning game, Niles continued its shutout streak by topping Mishawaka 12-0.
The Lady Vikings, who now have the second longest consecutive shutout streak in Michigan history (16), scored in all but one inning of the title game against Mishawaka.
Niles scored single runs in the first three innings, were held scoreless in the fourth and then scored two, four and three runs over the final three frames to turn the game into a blowout.
First-year Niles coach Gary Collins knows that the best way to beat a team is keep them off the scoreboard.
"They have worked really hard at shutting everybody out," he said following the title game. "Our defense was fantastic today. Everyone of our outfielders made great plays to save the shutouts."
Niles had just five hits in its victory over Buchanan, but exploded for 17 hits in the championship game.
Collins and his squad has worked very hard to improve the hitting on the club and it appears to be paying off.
"The last two weeks, we have faced if not the best pitcher in Michigan, then the second best pitcher in Michigan. We beat this team last night 1-0 and that team (Mishawaka) has only lost to No. 1 teams," Collins said. "They lost to the No. 1 team in Indiana and they lost to the No. 1 team in Michigan, so they are pretty good.
"We just pounded their pitcher today, the same one who kept us in check last night," he added.
Cricket Fisher had a pair of triples and three RBIs for the Lady Vikings, while Heather Daniels and Erica Gordon also had three-baggers.
Winning pitcher Jenna Ignowski helped her own cause with a pair of doubles. Niles also got doubles from Nellie Coquillard and Gordon, who drove in two runs. Maggie Ernsberger also drove in a pair of runs, while Shelley Aurand had four hits.
Ignowski allowed just three hits to Mishawaka, while striking out seven.
Buchanan…0
Niles…4
The Lady Vikings scored two runs in the third and sixth innings to pull out the victory against the Lady Bucks, who are now 10-5 on the season after splitting a pair of games on Saturday.
Niles had four hits, led by Ignowski's triple. Fisher, Coquillard and Aurand also had hits.
Buchanan's hits came from Destyni Dolan, Holly Brocious and Jacklyn Leiter.
Those were the only hits for Buchanan in the contest and they all came in the fifth inning. Ignowski struck out 14 and walked just one.
Mishawaka Caveman Classic
Saturday's Games
Buchanan 000 000 0 – 0 3 2
Niles 002 002 x – 4 4 0
WP – Jenna Ignowski (N, 14-0) and Maggie Ernsberger
LP – Kayla Dale (B 0-2) and Rachel Downs
3B: Jenna Ignowski (N)
Consolation
Elkhart Central 003 010 0 – 4 4 1
Buchanan 240 000 x – 6 11 2
2B: Emily Ross (B)
3B: Jayme O'Bryant (B)
Record
Buchanan 10-5
Championship Game
Niles 111 024 3 – 12 17 0
MIshawaka 000 000 0 – 0 3 2
WP – Ignowski (N, 15-0) and Maggie Ernsberger
Shelbie Jones (M 9-3) and Nelson
2B: Nellie Coquillard (N), Ignowski (N) 2, Erica Gordon (N)
3B: Cricket Fisher (N) 2, Heather Daniels (N), Gordon (N)
Record: Niles 16-0
The showdown between No. 1 ranked Niles and No. 6 rated Mishawaka was everything it was supposed to be Friday night.
The Lady Vikings remained undefeated with a 1-0 victory over Mishawaka in the Caveman Tournament.
In its first game of the tournament, Niles routed Elkhart (Ind.) Central, 11-0 in six innings.
Jenna Ignowski tossed her fifth perfect game and eighth no-hitter of the season in the opener against Elkhart Central. She struck out 10 and did not walk a batter in improving to 12-0.
In the nightcap, she struck out 14 and did not issue a walk. Mishawaka collected two hits of the Niles standout.
In beating Mishawaka, Niles' Heather Daniels led off the sixth inning with a single to right field. Daniels stole second and went to third on a ground ball by Erica Gordon.
Daniels scored the game's only run on a passed ball.
The Lady Vikings (13-0) had three hits off of Mishawaka pitcher Shelby Jones. Ignowski, Daniels and Nellie Coquillard all singled.
Niles banged out 14 hits against Elkhart Central, led by Karly Kennedy with a single, two doubles and three RBIs.
Stephanie Stoops and Daniels both singled, tripled and drove in two runs.
Ignowski, Cricket Fisher and Coquillard all finished with two hits.
First Game
Niles 026 102 – 11 14 0
Elkhart Central 000 000 – 0 0 1
WP – Jenna Ignowski (N, 12-0) and Maggie Ernsberger
LP – Bri Widmoyer (E, 1-5) and Alison Klapp
2B: Karly Kennedy (N) 2
3B: Stephanie Stoops (N), Heather Daniels (N)
Record
Elkhart Central 1-13
Second Game
Niles 000 001 0 – 1 3 2
Mishawaka 000 000 0 – 0 2 1
WP – Jenna Ignowski (N, 13-0) and Maggie Ernsberger
LP – Shelbie Jones (M) and Rebekah Nelson