The Niles Nitro finished third at the Muskegon Tournament recently. Pictured in front from left are Jordan Rank, Morgan Richer and Olivia Jordan. The middle row consists of Maggie Hoff, Kierra Fillwock, Amelia Ernsberger and Courtney Ankrapp. In back are Kylee Myer, Megan McKeel, Tala Gentry and Rachel Bonek. (Daily Star photo/Provided)

MUSKEGON — The Niles Nitro 14U Softball Team finished third recently at the Muskegon Tournament.

Niles came up one run short of reaching the championship game.

The Nitro were defeated by the Great Lakes Lightning 12-3, but rebounded to defeat the Caledonia Chaos 8-2.

In its final game of pool play, Niles lost to the Grand Rapids Elite Black 12-8.

In tournament play, the Capital City Crush fell victim to the Nitro 9-1.

In the second game of single elimination play, Niles defeated the Grand Rapids Elite White by a score of 6-5.

In the semifinals, Niles again faced the Caledonia Chaos and dropped a heartbreaking 5-4 decision.

“Overall this was a good tournament for us,” Nitro coach Rick McKeel said. “We hit the ball extremely well this weekend against good pitching with multiple girls hitting homeruns on balls that were driven over the outfielder’s heads to deep fences. We got hitting all the way through the lineup which was key.  We pitched well and played solid defense. We had to play the last two games without Amelia Ernsberger a key starter, who took an errant foul ball on the head. Other girls stepped up and made plays for us.”

Other top players for the Nitro were Rachel Bonek, Tala Gentry, Morgan Richer and Megan McKeel.

Pitching for the Nitro were Gentry and McKeel.