MOUNT BERRY, Ga. - Vikings baseball split at home to the Falcons of Pfeiffer in today's doubleheader, 1-0 and a massive 12-5 victory.
Game One (1-0):
The first game between the Vikings and Falcons was tough offensively for both teams.
With twelve total runners left on base for the Vikings, Pfeiffer's defense refused to let a run score.
It was Charles Stephensen with the start on the mound facing 21 batters in his six innings where he allowed only four hits with one run.
Pfeiffer found the only run of the game in the top of the second with an RBI double. Berry's bats were not silent this afternoon with
Levi Cloud leading the way with two hits, one being a double and a triple by
Charles Pulaski.
Freshman
Hayden Hightower earned his first collegiate hit in the top of the third.
The work on the mound by both teams carried this game. Stephensen was relieved after six by
Mason Snyder who struck out three batters while Berry saw three different pitchers from the Falcons as they tried to stay fresh, their efforts worked, holding off the Vikings in the ninth to capture a game one win.
Game Two (12-5):
In game two, the Vikings made their mark with a little scare on the way to their big victory over the Falcons.
Aubrey Morataikis ended the top of the first inning early, giving his team a turn at the plate where a walk and single put two runners on quickly.
Riley Uhls two run single put the Vikings on top for the first time all day (2-0).
The second inning played the same tune with an early ending for the Falcons and more runs for Berry. This time
Alex Knapp reached on a singled, advanced on a wild pitch, and then stole third to be in scoring position. Up 3-0 with
Garrett Lang crossing the plate, the Vikings found two more runs in the second to shoot up 5-0 early.
After a quiet third inning, the Falcons finally made their way to the board in the fourth with two runs of their own to cut the Berry lead (5-2).
Two pitching changes between the fourth and the fifth inning put the Vikings in a tough position as the Falcons tied the game at five and gained back the momentum with a double, four walked batters, and a balk.
A huge fifth inning came for the Vikings with six hits and seven runs to end the momentum for Pfeiffer and capture their everlasting lead. Six singles, two batters hit by a pitch, two batter walked, and three pitchers seen made for a crazy fifth.
Jacob Bridges was the first to get on for the Vikings after being hit by a pitch. Singles from
Austin Jetmore and Lang pushed Bridges across the plate for the lead (6-5).
Joey Garcia knocked in two as he singled through the right side and before the fans knew it the scoreboard sat at 12-5, Vikings.
Will Marquart came to the mound for Berry defensively, earning the game win with no more Falcons crossing the plate for the remainder of the game.
The Vikings complete the series with Pfeiffer tomorrow at 12:00 PM ET.
