The Niles Senior and Junior All-Star teams were both eliminated from the Michigan Little League District 15 tournament on Tuesday night at Thomas Stadium. The Seniors dropped a 4-3 decision to Schoolcraft, while the Juniors lost 10-9 to Schoolcraft. Dallas Munger tries to lay down a bunt. (Daily Star photos/AMELIO RODRIGUEZ)

From staff reports

The Niles Senior All-Star Little League team came up short Tuesday night losing to Schoolcraft 4-3 at Thomas Stadium.

After coming off a come-from-behind victory Monday night against Cassopolis, with the help of Evan Zimmerman’s 12 strikeouts in five innings to shut down the Rangers, the Niles team couldn’t generate enough offense to make up for the four unearned runs allowed.

One bad inning in which four walks were given and two passed balls amounted to the only scores Schoolcraft could up with up.

Niles was led offensively by Brian Exner, Ethan Zimmerman and Jake Brentlinger all with two singles each along with Ben Getz and Tyler Fisher each having a single each.

Cody Taggart started on the mound for Niles and Alex Erwin came in for relief in the fifth inning.

Taggart only allowed three hits with three strike outs while Erwin allowed one hit and had four strike outs.

Evan Zimmerman led the team on the mound for the District 15 tournament having pitched a total of 11 innings with 23 strikeouts allowing only six hits over the four games the Niles’ Senior team played.

Schoolcraft will now represent District 15 in a regional tournament against the District 2 champion with the winner of those games heading to the State Senior Tournament in Midland.

Niles…9

Schoolcraft…10

Schoolcraft scored four runs in the bottom of  the sixth to earn the victory.

Niles led 3-0 after one inning of play and took a 7-1 lead into the third inning.

Schoolcraft scored a run in the third, three in the fourth and a run in the fifth to cut the lead to 9-6.

Brad Miller had two singles, a double and an RBI for Niles, which also got a single, a double and three RBIs from Matt Miller.

Matt Schiele had two singles and a pair of RBIs. Dustin Rockey also had a single and an RBI.