By: Adeline Pearman, Sports Information Assistant

MOUNT BERRY, Ga. - In a back-and-forth contest that scattered 22 combined hits, the Vikings were just edged by the top-ranked team in the nation with a 6-5 final.

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• In the top of the first, Berry's Slade Dale shot a double down the left field line to score Austin Haight, putting the Vikings up 1-0

• In top of the third, Emory would answer with Jeff Ronpirin doubling to left to score two, taking the lead 2-1. 

• The Vikings tied the score in the bottom of the third with Slade Dale hitting a single to left field and earning an RBI with Devin Skelton scoring.

• The Vikings continued to press the Eagles in the bottom of the fourth, with two additional runs scoring off the bats of Devin Post and Tyler Calvert. 

• Emory would add three in the top of the fifth to regain the lead 5-4. 

• Berry again responded in the bottom half of the fifth after Alfred Francis doubled to left, scoring Skelton. 

• The Eagles would seal the win in the top of the eigth after Christopher Stern shot a sacrifice fly to right field. 

BERRY STATISTICAL STANDOUTS: 

• Austin Haight: 2-for-4, R

• Alfred Francis: 2-for-4, R, RBI

• Casey Whitaker: 2-for-4, R

• Slade Dale: 2-for-4, 2 RBI

• Dylan Beasley: 5.0 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 3 K

• Jackson Byrd: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 3 K, L (1-1)

EMORY STATISTICAL STANDOUTS: 

• Christopher Stern: 1-for-2, 2 R, RBI

• David Draper: 2-for-5, R, RBI

• Wilson Morgan: 2-for-4, R 

• Ryan Adelman: 1-for-3, R 

• Richard Brereton: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 3 K, W (2-0)

• Kyle Monk: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 3 K, Sv (3)

UP NEXT: 

• Berry will travel to Conway, Ark., to open conference play against the Hendrix Warriors on Saturday. Game one of the doubleheader is set for 2:00 PM.