Niles overcame a pair of six-run innings and a 12-3 deficit in the nightcap of its SMAC West Division doubleheader with visiting St. Joseph to earn a split Tuesday night.

After falling to the Bears 14-8 in the opening game, Niles found itself down 12-3 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning.

The Vikings scored four runs in the fourth and six more in the fifth to take a 13-12 lead on St. Joseph.

Niles then held the Bears scoreless in the top of the seventh to pull out the dramatic come-from-behind victory.

“I am so proud of our girls,” said Niles coach Rick McKeel. “They fought the entire time. After losing the first game and going down 6-0 in first inning of game two they never quit and rallied from a 12-3 deficit to get the win. Our girls needed and deserved this. They keep working hard and I am so happy for them to be able to see some success.”

Taylor Altergott had four hits for the Vikings in the nightcap, while Caitlin Daly had a pair of home runs and four RBIs. Addison Davies, Brooke Timm, Reese Davies and Kelsey Barkman each had two hits for Niles.

In the opener, Sadie Fountain, Timm and Daly each had two hits. Both of Timm’s hits were doubles as she drove in a pair of runs.

 

Niles baseball

The Vikings swept the Bears 3-2 and 3-2 to improve to 10-12 overall and 3-3 in the SMAC West Division.

In the first game, Bryce Lake picked up the victory in relief of starter Jakob Huffman.

Lake also had a double for the Vikings, who finished with six hits.

In the nightcap, DrewHuffman and Lake combined on a four-hitter.

Drew Huffman picked up the victory.

Dawson Clemens doubled and tripled for the Vikings, who also got a triple from Drew Huffman.

 

SOFTBALL

1. JOSEPH 14-12, NILES 8-13

At Niles

First game

St. Joseph      102     425     0 – 14 17 3

Niles               002     140     1 – 8 10 7

Emily Camburn (W); Brooke Timm (L).

2B: Taylor Garey (S), Brooke Timm (N) 2.

 

Second game

St. Joseph      600     600     0 – 12 9 6

Niles               210     046     x – 13 17 5

Emily Camburn (L); Brooke Timm, Reese Davies (1, W).

2B: Courtney Parrish (S), Gabrielle Dilley (S), Sadie Fountain (N), Brooke Timm (N).

3B: Kelsey Barkman (N).

HR: Caitlin Daly (N) 2.

Varsity record: Niles 9-17.

 

BASEBALL

FIRST GAME

St. Joseph      000     000     2 – 2 4 1

Niles               000     002     1 – 3 6 2

Marcus Bradford (L); Jakob Huffman, Bryce Lake (W, 7)

2B: Bryce Lake (N)

 

Second game

St. Joseph      001     000     1 – 2 4 3

Niles               010     002     x – 3 10 1

Ben Johanski (L); Drew Huffman (W), Bryce Lake (7)

2B: Dawson Clemens (N)

3B: Drew Huffman (N), Dawson Clemens (N)

Varsity records: St. Joseph 14-10, 0-6 SMAC West; Niles 10-12, 3-3 SMAC West.