NILES — A three-run fourth inning helped host Niles rally from a 2-0 deficit to edge Mishawaka Marian 3-2 Tuesday afternoon.

The Knights scored single runs in the first and second innings to grab the early lead on Niles.

But in the fourth inning, the Vikings (2-0) took advantage of a two-run error and a Tayton Stevens double to score all three of its runs.

“We hit for one inning when we needed to with guys in scoring position,” Niles coach Mike Vota said. “And then we got the momentum a little bit and our pitchers did a pretty good job of throwing strikes.”

Chandler Dodd, the third Niles pitcher on the day, picked up the win in relief as he worked the fifth and sixth innings. Dodd did not allow a run or a hit, while striking out two and walking two.

Chad Barton started the game for Niles and worked the first two innings before giving way to Jared Hainey.

Johnny Bybee pitched the seventh inning and struck out a pair in picking up the save.

“We really have to work on getting ahead of the hitters,” Vota said. “We were behind the hitters too many times today. But they battled and they made them put the ball in play. Our outfielders did a fantastic job of going and getting the ball today. Cole Simpson make a couple of great plays.”

Offensively for the Vikings, Barton had a pair of runs, while Kendall Whitelow and Stevens both doubled.

Niles ended the game with seven hits. Vota thinks that the hitters will warm up as soon as they get more turns in the batter’s box.

“That is just the reps part of the game,” he said. “We need to see it more often, and with two games on Thursday, that will help. The guys will start to get a little bit more comfortable in the box. We are still a bit antsy and that is alright. I would rather us be a little over aggressive and have to reign them back.”

Tyler Deboe started and took the loss for the Knights, who finished with just two hits.

The Vikings travel to Kalamazoo to face Loy Norrix in a SMAC non-divisional doubleheader.