Niles was outplayed defensively in its baseball doubleheader Tuesday against Portage Northern.

The Vikings committed nine errors in dropping both games, 5-2 and 11-4. The Huskies totaled no errors in the cold temperatures.

Poor defense cost Niles more in the opener as five Viking errors led to four unearned runs for the Huskies.

“Way too many errors in both games,” said Niles coach Mike Vota. “We didn’t make routine plays and we didn’t pick up balls in the outfield. That’s the frustrating part. We’ll get better.”

Portage Northern led 5-1 after three innings. Niles’ lone run in the first three innings was a sacrifice fly from Tate Brawley in the first inning.

Brawley deserved a better fate on the mound. He struck out 12 and walked two.

Portage Northern scored in every inning but the first in game two. The game was called after six innings because of darkness.

The Vikings got a two-run double from Jordan Ham in the fourth inning.

In the fifth, Niles scored twice on an RBI triple from Taylor Weldy and a sacrifice fly from Brawley.

Connor Glick doubled twice for the Vikings.

“The middle of our lineup is swinging it OK,” Vota said. “I’m pretty happy with 2-3-4 right now. They’re putting the ball in play hard consistently.”

 

First game 

Northern                    122     000     0 – 5 8 0

Niles                            100     001     0 – 2 4 5

Jacob Gividen (W) and Austin Pratt; Tate Brawley (L, 1-1) and Connor Glick

2B: Carlton Mukasa-Clark (P), Pratt (P), Glick (N)

3B: Taylor Weldy (N), Brawley (N)

 

Second game

Northern                    032     222 – 11 14 0

Niles                             000     220 – 4 7 4

Blake Therrian (W) and Austin Pratt; Tate Rudlaff (L, 0-2), Austin Lintz (5) and Jason Hoida

2B: Tommy Henry (P), Pratt (P), Connor Glick 2 (N), Tate Brawley (N), Jordan Ham (N)

3B: Taylor Weldy (N)

 

Varsity records: Niles 5-4, 1-3 SMAC West; Portage Northern 6-5, 4-0 SMAC West