By Matthew D. Stokes, BerryVikings.com Lead Writer

ROME, Ga. – Berry's baseball team came out on top, 7-6, against Southern Athletic Association opponent Oglethorpe on Friday afternoon. Right-handed starter Casey Gray (3-1) struck out a career-high 10 batters, and Alex McGill ripped two doubles and scored twice, finishing a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate.

Berry upped its overall record to 11-10 and 8-2 in SAA competition. Oglethorpe fell to 4-14 and 1-6. 

After allowing a run in the top half of the first, Gray and the Vikings scored the game's next seven runs. To begin the scoring, Zach Farmer drove a Cory Leff (0-4) pitch over the left field fence, a two-run home run, Berry's first four-bagger this spring. In addition to fanning 10, Gray tossed six innings and allowed two runs (both earned).

With Gray out of the game after the sixth, Oglethorpe tagged Berry reliever T.J. Page for five hits and four runs in the seventh, making it a one-run game. Christian Champion and Danny Parrywould provide two and a third scoreless innings to close out the action. Parry induced a double-play grounder off the bat of Spencer Transue to end the game and earned his first career save.

Farmer, Grant Perkins and Austin Neely each notched two hits apiece for Berry. Nick Manai had four hits for Oglethorpe, and Transue added three.

"I thought we did a good job early," said Berry Head Coach David Beasley. "Casey battled and had pretty good stuff. Christian Champion came in and pitched well, and then Danny Parry closed it down."

Berry will resume play tomorrow afternoon at William R. Bowdoin for the Wounded Warrior Benefit Game. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.