Niles softball team swept by Lakeview
Published 8:50 am Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Niles senior Heather Daniels made her first career start on Tuesday for the Vikings as a pitcher. The All-State outfielder took the loss in the opening game against Battle Creek Lakeview. (Daily Star photo/SCOTT NOVAK)
By SCOTT NOVAK
Niles Daily Star
For the past four years, the Niles softball team has pretty much lived on the arm of Jenna Ignowski.
But with Ignowski moved on to Eastern Michigan, it was time to find some new faces to dominate in the circle.
Seniors Heather Daniels and Brittney Buti each got their chance on Tuesday in the season opener against visiting Battle Creek Lakeview and both pitched pretty well.
The problem was the Vikings didn’t generate much offense and committed six errors in losing the doubleheader 7-2 and 4-0.
In the opening game, Daniels pitched her first varsity game and didn’t do badly.
The senior allowed seven runs on just three hits, but didn’t get much help from her defense, which committed five errors. Daniels struck out eight and walked 11.
Offensively, Daniels was also solid as she doubled and singled three times to account for four of the Vikings’ five hits.
Buti tripled and scored in the sixth inning as Sophie Nielsen grounded out to second to drive in the run, which made it a 7-1 contest.
Lakeview scored a run in the first and then six times in the sixth to break open the close contest.
Ashley Schwartz drove in two runs as she was safe on an error, while winning pitcher Kristin VanOostern singled and drove in a pair of runs. Kayla Frye had a bloop single for an RBI in the sixth.
Niles tacked on a run in the seventh inning as Emily Mokwa drew a walk, advanced to second on a passed ball and came around to score when Daniels singled and the Lakeview centerfielder misplayed the ball.
In the nightcap, which lasted just five innings due to darkness, Buti tossed a two-hitter with six strike outs and 11 walks.
Niles finished with five hits, including doubles by Charissa Spear and Daniels. Spear also had a double.
Lakeview scored a run in the first and fifth innings and two in the third to account for its scoring.
Niles will compete in the Chieftain Invitational on Saturday.
First game
Lakeview 100 006 0 – 7 3 1
Niles 000 001 1 – 2 5 5
WP – Kristin VanOosten and Erin Riley
LP – Heather Daniels and Sophie Nielsen
2B: Daniels
Second game
Lakeview 102 01 – 4 2 0
Niles 000 00 – 0 5 1
WP – Chelcie Eaton and Erin Riley
LP – Brittney Buti and Sophie Nielsen
2B: Charissa Spear (N), Heather Daniels (N)
Varsity records: Lakeview 4-0, Niles 0-2
