By STEVE MORRISON
Dowagiac Daily News

NILES – To begin a three-game round-robin tournament, freshmen Hannah Porterfield and Sarah Cramer teamed up for three RBIs apiece as Niles’ varsity softball team won 11-8 against host Brandywine’s  Bobcats on Saturday.

In the cross-town rivalry Brandywine outhit Niles 12 to 10, but five Bobcat errors proved costly to the outcome.

Brandywine scored first against Niles starter and winning pitcher, Brooke Wilson.

With one out in the top of the third, Viking centerfielder Charissa Spear singled to begin a Niles rally.

Brittney Buti reached first on an error at second by Harris. Wilson coaxed a walk out of Brandywine starter Brande Overholt to load the bases.

The stage was set for freshman catcher Hannah Porterfield, who had doubled to right-center in her first at bat for Niles. Porterfield crushed a bases-loaded three-run double to the left-center gap to put Niles in front at 3-1.

Daniels reached first on an error by Brandywine first baseman Madison Pellow.  Next up, Niles third baseman Cramer knocked them in with a two-out single to create a 5-1 Niles lead.

The Vikings came back with three more in their top half of the fourth frame.

Daniels delivered a bases loaded, two-out triple to give Niles an 8-1.

Not to be denied the Bobcats went back to work in their at bat in the bottom half of the inning with four runs to cut the lead to 8-5.

In the top of the sixth, Brandywine relief pitcher Mikaela Kemp got two quick outs, but things began to stir for Niles when Kemp hit Porterfield with a pitch and Daniels singled.
Three more consecutive base hits by Cramer, Ashley Evans and Abby McKeel plated three Niles runs on the board for an 11-5 Viking lead.

Entering their last at bat, the Bobcats’ Price led off with her second double of the day.

One out later Ort walked and Colcord followed with a base knock for two RBIs.

Niles is 9-20 for the season, while Brandywine stands at 6-23.

In the second game of the tripleheader, Niles defeated Gobles 8-5.

Wilson started, but did not pick up a decision as Daniels worked the final six innings, strikeout out four.

The Vikings finished with 11 hits, including a single and a double by Cramer, along with doubles from Larkin Carey and Evans.

Crafter, Carey and Evans combined to drive in six of the Niles’ eight runs.

Porterfield and Daniels chipped in with two hits apiece.

The final game result was a 4-1 Gobles victory over the Brandywine Bobcats.

Kemp took the loss for Brandywine.

Price had a triple for the Bobcats, who also got a single and a double from Allie Harris and a double from Rachael Ort.

Niles  005 303 0 – 11 10 1
Brandywine 010 400 3 – 8 12  5
Brooke Wilson (W) and Hannah Porterfield
Brande Overholt (L) and Heather Hadden
2B: Ellie Price 2 (B), Chelsea Ravitch 1 (B); Porterfield 2 (N)
3B: Heather Daniels 1 (N)
Varsity records: Niles 9-20, Brandywine 6-23