By MIKE MORRISON

For the Daily Star

NILES — It took a while for the offense to get started for Brandywine on Tuesday afternoon as they hosted BCS Conference foe Berrien Springs.

It was a terrific defensive stalemate the first four innings until Shamrocks freshman Maggie Coulston launched a 2-2 fastball delivered by Delani Nelson to break the scoreless tie.

Flirting with being shut out, the Bobcats were able to put some hits together and drove in nine in the bottom of the sixth to take a 9-1 lead and eventually pull of a 9-2 victory.

Sophomore Kennedy Byrd led the Cats offense a pair of doubles and an RBI. Junior Nicole Sachman and sophomore Halie Ebersol added three hits of their own on their way to the game 1 victory.

“Coach has been on me about being early (on hitting the ball),” Byrd said about her adjustment at the plate. “My focus was just taking a step back so I wouldn’t pop up or foul off any pitches.” 

“We didn’t hit the ball very well to start out with,” said Coach Jim Myers following the doubleheader. “They (Berrien) played some solid defense the first five innings but what ended up working we were able to get some bunts down with runners on. Forced Berrien to make a couple of errors and it led to a big inning for us.”

In game two the Brandywine offense continued where it left off and their defense remained stout as they went on to a 6-2 victory in the nightcap.

Byrd added three more hits with a run and RBI while Sachman and freshman Alysa Adamczyk added two hits of their own. Nelson added three base knocks including a triple and three RBI.

“We put the ball in play enough to get some runs in,” Myers said. “Our defense was pretty tight and Delani (Nelson) pitched well both games to keep them off balance. I’m pretty proud of the way we played today.”

Sophomore Nelson was credited with the win in both games combining for 16 strikeouts and three walks. 

Brandywine (4-2; 2-0) is back in action Thursday as they travel to Three Oaks to faced defending Division 4 district champion and 10th ranked (in Division 4) River Valley in a BCS Conference double header.

BRANDYWINE 9-6, BERRIEN SPRINGS 2-2
at Niles
First game

Berrien Springs   000 010 1 – 2 6 2
Brandywine         000 009 x – 9 11 1
Delani Nelson (W) Kennedy Byrd (7) and Alysa Adamczyk; Chloe Wells (L) Emily Knight (6) and Lauren Landry
2B: Maggie Coulston (BS) Byrd (2, BW) Nelson (BW) Nicole Sachman (BW)
HR: Coulston (BS)

Second game

Berrien Springs    002 000 0 – 2 4 2
Brandywine          211 101 x – 6 10 1
Nelson (W) and Adamczyk; Knight (L) and Wells
2B: Landry (2, BS) Knight (BS)
3B: Knight (BS) Nelson (BW)