MOUNT BERRY, Ga. - To start their final conference series of the year, Berry claimed victorious over the Tigers of Sewanee in a 7-5 hard-fought win.
From the outset, Berry asserted their dominance with a commanding three-run lead in the opening inning, setting the tone for the contest. Sewanee, however, refused to back down, mounting a spirited comeback in the second inning with two runs of their own, narrowing the deficit and keeping the game within reach.
Charles Stephenson started on the mound for the Vikings and clinched his 100th career strikeout to aid in the lead and fanned six on the night.
The middle innings saw both teams engaged in a tense defensive struggle, as pitchers on both sides showcased their skills, holding the opposition at bay and preventing further scoring opportunities.
However, Joey Garcia, the current DIII leader in hits this season surpassed his teammate for the Single Season Hit Record notching his 70th hit this season.
As the game progressed, Berry managed to extend their lead with another run in the second inning, maintaining their advantage over Sewanee. However, Sewanee continued to fight valiantly, chipping away at the deficit with timely runs in the fifth and seventh innings, keeping the outcome uncertain until the very end.
In a pivotal moment, Berry's offense exploded in the bottom of the sixth inning, as they rallied to score three crucial runs, reclaiming momentum and widening the gap on the scoreboard. Despite Sewanee's late-game efforts to mount a comeback, Berry's early offensive surge proved to be insurmountable.
It was
Tyler Cassidy who came in with the win and
Will Marquart with the save in today's matchup.
The Vikings will finalize the series tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 PM ET and senior day festivities taking place at 12:30 PM.
