DOWAGIAC — The Niles softball team had to wait nearly a month before playing its first games of the season.

The Vikings showed just a little rust in sweeping all three of its opponents in winning the Chieftain Invitational in on Saturday.

Niles edged Bridgman 1-0 in the first game and routed Paw Paw in the second game 17-2.

In the championship game, the Vikings defeated SMAC rival Kalamazoo Central 9-5.

No individual statistics were available at press time.

Host Dowagiac was 0-3 on the day, falling to Kalamazoo Central 13-1, Hartford 12-8 and Watervliet 8-5.

Against Kalamazoo Central, Taylor Pye and Hulett had the lone hits for Dowagiac.

Hulett suffered the loss.

The Chieftains managed eight hits against Hartford, led by Smith, who was 3-for-4 with an RBI. Hulett tripled and drove in a run for Dowagiac.

Sarah Allen took the loss in relief of Carpenter.

Dowagiac had 12 hits against Watervliet, but could not score enough runs for a win.

Hulett was 3-for-4 with an RBI. Calley Ruff was also 3-for-4.

Smith and Carpenter were both 2-for-4 with a double. Smith drove a run and Carpenter drove in a pair of runs.