BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Casey Gray threw a nine-hitter as it defeated Rhodes College, 4-1, in the opening round of the Southern Athletic Association postseason tournament.

Berry improved to 18-22 overall. Rhodes dropped to 20-20.

 

The Vikings jumped out to a 3-0 lead on run-scoring hits by Ben Jernigan and Alex McGill as well as a RBI groundout by Stephen Gaylor. Rhodes notched its lone run of the afternoon on Strother White's RBI groundout in the sixth.

 

Gray (5-4) tossed his third complete game of the season and struck out five. Rhodes starting pitcher Jackson Baker (7-5) took the complete-game loss and allowed 10 hits and four runs (all earned).

 

Austin Neely had three hits for Berry, and Dusty Tyson recorded two runs and two hits. Patrick Kilkenny and Channing Arndt both picked up two hits apiece for Rhodes.

 

Berry will return to action in Birmingham on Saturday. BC plays host BSC at 11 a.m. in a winner's bracket game.