NILES — Host Niles opened up its 2019 SMAC West Division schedule with a split against visiting St. Joseph at Vella Park Tuesday.

Meanwhile, across town, Brandywine was being swept by Bridgman in its BCS Red Division opener.

In other BCS Athletic Conference action, Buchanan swept visiting Comstock.

Niles softball

It was night and day in the circle for the Vikings against the Bears.

In the opening game, Brooke Timm struggled for the first time this season as she allowed 11 earned runs in Niles’ 11-6 loss.

In the nightcap, freshman Mya Syson was dominating as he allowed one run on three hits with 11 strikeouts.

Niles managed just seven hits in the first game, led by Timm who was 2-for-3. Alexis Rauch homered, while Taylor Altergott and Timm both doubled.

In the second game, Caitlin Daly was 2-for-3 with a home run and five RBIs.

Niles finished with 15 hits, including a 4-for-4 performance by Altergott. Kelsey Barkman was 3-for-4, while Aynslee Myer and Rauch both finished with two hits.

Brandywine softball

Bridgman’s Natalie McNeil dominated the Bobcats as she recorded double digits in strikeouts in winning both games for the Bees.

Bridgman won the opener 11-0 in six innings before completing the sweep with a 3-1 victory in the nightcap.

Haley Scott and Delani Nelson suffered the losses for the Bobcats.

In the first game, Nelson singled and drove in a run. Brandywine had just three hits against McNeil, who struck out 10.

In the nightcap, Nelson again led the Bobcats as she had a pair of singles. McNeil tossed another three-hitter with 14 strikeouts.

The Bobcats host New Buffalo at 4:15 p.m. today.

The Bucks kicked off their division play with a 12-2 and 4-0 sweep of visiting Comstock.

In the opening game, Buchanan finished with 15 hits, led by Abby Hickok, who was 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Winning pitcher Chloe Spitz helped her own cause by going 3-for-3 and drive in a pair of runs.

Megan Adkerson doubled and drove in three runs, while Emma Lozmack was 2-for-3 with a home run.

In the second game, Buchanan finished with 10 more hits.

Alea Fisher, Kaitlyn Lukkarila and Emily Riley all finished with two hits.

Hickok doubled and Sophie Lozmack tripled.

Lozmack was also the winning pitcher as she tossed a four-hitter.

“We played well last night,” said Buchanan coach Rachel Carlson. “Both pitchers had great outings. Chloe Spitz scattered seven hits and had eight strikeouts in game 1, and Sophie Lozmack only allowed four hits with six strikeouts. As a team we hit the ball well with two outs and really worked on hitting the ball up the middle. Emma Lozmack has been a wall for us behind the plate and definitely displayed that again last night.”