South Bend Tribune

 

BOB OPPENHEIM

STEVENSVILLE — There were unlikely standouts in Tuesday's high school softball showdown between No. 1-ranked Lakeshore and Niles.

No. 7 hitter Sophie Nielsen collected a two-out RBI single in the seventh inning of game one as the Vikings (23-4 overall, 4-2 SMAC West Division), beat the previously unbeaten Lancers, 1-0.

In game two, Lakeshore No. 2 starting pitcher Rachel Zwar allowed one unearned run over 5?254-240? innings as the Lancers (24-1 overall, 3-1 SMAC West Division) captured a split, 4-1.

"Sophie is a sophomore that works hard every day in practice and she got rewarded today with a big hit," said Niles coach Gary Collins. "It doesn't surprise me. She can hit the ball. Her and my center fielder (Charissa Spear) are the most improved players I've seen from one year to the next."

Most of the opener featured a pitcher's duel between Niles' Jenna Ignowski and Lakeshore's Maggie Hildebrand. Ignowski tossed a three-hitter and struck out 16, while Hildebrand hurled a five-hitter and struck out six.

"Sixteen strikeouts," said Lakeshore coach Denny Dock. "That's one thing you absolutely can't do. Jenna put it on us."

Zwar took the place of an injured Hildebrand in game two and took advantage of the opportunity. With Lakeshore leading 4-1, Hildebrand relieved Zwar with two outs in the sixth inning and runners on first and second. Hildebrand got a pop-out to end the Vikings threat.

"Maggie's back is really, really sore," Dock said. "Rachel has been pitching good and been able to keep the ball down. She throws that good drop-ball and change-up. I thought she did a great job today."

In game two, the Lancers scored three unearned runs off of four Niles errors.

"You can't give (Lakeshore) extra outs," Collins said. "If we make those plays, we might have won."

Kelly Vigansky's solo homer increased Lakeshore's lead to 4-1 in the fifth inning. That was the lone earned run given up by Ignowski, who allowed five hits and struck out seven.

"I don't think Jenna was as good in the second game," Collins said. "But, you know what, she pitched pretty well. It wasn't her fault that we lost. We just didn't hit the ball."

An unearned run in the third inning gave Niles a 1-0 lead in game two. Lakeshore responded with an unearned run in the third inning and two unearned runs in the fourth. Heather Gusse had an RBI double in the third for Lakeshore, and Jordie Wasserman and Kaitlyn Cornwell each had RBI singles in the fourth.