BIRMINGHAM -- Berry College needed just one win over Birmingham-Southern on Sunday to advance to next weekend's SAA Championship series. The Panthers, however, defeated the Vikings twice and will move onto the final series. Game scores were 16-9 and  13-1.

The Vikings dropped to 27-17. The Panthers--ranked seventh in the national poll--improved to 34-10 record. BSC will host Rhodes for the title.

In the first game, BC rallied from a 3-0 run deficit to plate six runs in the top of the third inning. The Panthers retaliated with 13 runs over the next three frames to prevail. The Vikes added a single run in the fourth, and scored twice in the night for the final 16-9 tally.

Ben Jernigan had a big game for Berry by hitting 2-for-3 with two runs, a double, one home run, and four RBI. Alfred Francis collected two doubles in three at-bats, and Brady Smith knocked a homer for BC.

Evan Mather (0-1) tossed the third inning and was pinned with the loss. Ross James (5-1) pitched four innings of relief and collected the win for BSC. Jack Rhodes went 3-of-5 with a double and four RBI to lead Panther batters.

In the second game, Berry recorded 10 hits--but could only produce one run in the second frame in the 13-1 defeat. BSC committed three errors to none for Berry. The visitors, however, could not capitalize.

Trey Rampy (4-4) started and took the loss for BC. He tossed 3 1/3 innings, allowed nine hits and eight runs--all earned. Three other relievers took the mound for the Vikes.

Francis went 3-for-4, and Austin Haight and Casey Whitaker both had two base hits for Berry. Taylor McCracken and David Scott each collected three hits for the home team, which had 16 in the contest.

Stephen Himic (8-2) started and got the victory for BCS. He logged five innings and allowed BC's run.