PORTAGE — The top-ranked team in Division 1, Portage Central, gave Niles a first-hand look at why the Mustangs deserve such a lofty rating.

The Mustangs defeated the Vikings 10-0 and 15-0 in SMAC West Division action Tuesday. Both games lasted just five innings.

“Portage Central is deserving of their No. 1 ranking,” Niles coach Rick McKeel said. “They played solid ball tonight. I thought Addison Davies did a great job on the mound even though she suffered the loss. She did not give up any extra base hit. They did a good job of finding holes and credit to Portage Central, they capitalized on a couple of our mistakes as good teams do.”

In the first game, Kylee Myer, Morgan Altergott, Madison Schneider and Michell Crouch all had hits. Crouch doubled for the Vikings.

In the nightcap, Delaney Shields and Tegan Bays had the two Niles hits.

“In the second game we committed five errors and against any team, it’s tough to win doing that,” McKeel said. “We will be addressing that in practice tomorrow as we prepare for Mattawan. All we can do now is put this behind us and move forward and work harder to get better in all facets of the game.”

Niles played without senior starter Megan McKeel, who suffered a broken hand last week.

“I was very proud of the play of Holly Walker who filled in at third for the injured Megan McKeel, who broke her hand against Bridgman,” McKeel said. “She stepped up and made some great plays in the field with limited practice at that spot.”

 

PORTAGE 10-15, NILES 0-0

First Game

Niles                000     00 – 0 4 2

Central           006     22 – 10 14 0

Brooke Wyman (W) and Bailee; Addison Davies (L, 3-3) and Kylee Myer

2B: Michelle Crouch (N)

 

Second Game

Niles                000     00 – 0 2 5

Central           264     3x – 15 15 0

Michelle Crouch (L, 1-4)

Varsity record: Niles 4-9