MOUNT BERRY, Ga. - The Vikings took on LaGrange in a mid-week in-state showdown that ended with them falling to the Panthers by a final score of 16-4.
The game began with both Jackson Halla and the LaGrange man on the mound sitting down the opposing batters in order in the first inning.
Things picked up in the second inning when LaGrange filled the scoreboard with three runs to take an early 3-0 lead over the Vikings. Berry responded with an Austin Jetmore run to cut the deficit to two runs.
The pitcher's duel resumed in the third inning, with both pitchers taking care of business to send us to the fourth inning.
LaGrange added two runs to fuel their lead in the fourth, while the Viking bats stayed dormant in the bottom of the fourth.
Newly entered JohnMark Christopher on the mound made a difference to get the Vikings to the bottom of the fifth, still with the 5-1 deficit built in the fourth.
Singles from Will Waters and Jacob Bridges set up Garrett Lang to drive in two runs to bring the Vikings within two, as they began to find their stride in the batter's box.
Some more good work from JohnMark Christopher saw him sit down three straight Panthers to set up the Vikings to make a move in the bottom of the sixth.
A two-out single got Xavier Byams on base, as he beat out the threatening throw at first. Despite the late- inning life, the Vikings were held at bay and still trailed 5-3 at the top of the seventh inning.
JohnMark managed two quick outs before allowing two on base. The freshman allowed a run as the Panthers extended the lead to 6-3, and was he was subsequently exited for Cole Porter, who couldn't turn it around before giving up two more runs to make it an 8-3 Panther lead.
In need of a spark, two Vikings were hit by a pitch to begin the bottom of the seventh. A Tanaka Mukono weak tapper scored Jacob Bridges to cut the lead to 4 runs. A Panther 6-4-3 double play halted the Viking momentum, leaving Berry with still a steep hill to climb.
In the top of the eighth, LaGrange would go on another crucial run to make it a 16-4 mountain for the Vikings to climb.
The Berry bats would then run out of gas, resulting in a 16-4 defeat in 8 innings.
Catch the Vikings in action on Friday in the first game of the Berry Invitational against Belhaven at 3 PM.
