Krenek's big hit lifts Niceville over Choctaw (PHOTO GALLERY)

NICEVILLE — Both the Niceville and Choctawhatchee baseball teams’ bats reflected the frigid, unforgiving conditions of Monday night’s game.

But once the late innings rolled around, it was the Eagles that got the big hit and that was enough to pull out a 5-3 victory over the Indians in a season-opening contest.

See the photo gallery from the game.

By the bottom of the sixth inning, Niceville (1-0) had only registered one hit — a leadoff single by Michael Coelho in the first. Ben DeVall finally broke the Eagles’ hitless drought after the initial inning when he sandwiched a single in the hole between a walk by Michael Wells and a hit batsman by A.J. Gomez.

That set the table for Chris Krenek, who roped a two-run double down the third-base line off of Choctaw reliever Robert Hartranft that broke a 2-2 tie. Pinch runner Travis Sweeney then scored on a passed ball for a 5-2 lead.

Choctaw (0-1) made things interesting in the seventh when Luke Clark swatted an RBI single off of Niceville reliever Will Davis, and the Indians had the tying run on first with two outs. But Colt Tarpley sealed the win for Davis and tallied the save when he came on for Davis and recorded a game-ending strikeout.

Hunter Phillips started for Niceville and allowed two hits and two runs — one earned — while striking out seven and walking four in five innings. Starter Brian Moore was also effective for Choctaw, giving up one hit and two runs — none earned — while striking out five and walking two in four innings.

Niceville scored two runs in the second inning on a Choctaw throwing error. The Indians tied it up in the fifth when Tanner Black followed Moore’s RBI double by knocking the ball out of catcher Wells’ glove as he dived for the plate after getting caught in rundown.