MOUNT BERRY, Ga. -- The Berry Vikings split the doubleheader with the Belhaven Blazers, winning the first game in a high-scoring affair, and losing the second in a pitchers' duel.
 

Game 1

SEVEN-RUN EXPLOSION LEADS VIKINGS TO VICTORY

The Berry Vikings won the first game 12-9 in their doubleheader with the Belhaven Blazers, thanks to a seven-run fourth inning and Nick Brunswick's continued success in the series.

The Blazers jumped out to an early two-run lead in the first inning from Tristan Pearson's single that caromed off the pitcher's mound and into the outfield. The first runs for Berry came in the bottom of the first when Riley Uhls hit into an error that allowed Joey Garcia to score, and Andrew Pendleton's single a batter later tied the game. The Vikings took the lead two batters later when Charles Pulaski's RBI single made the score 3-2.

Brunswick's two-run double in the second increased the Vikings' lead to 5-2. Belhaven cut into the deficit with Parker Ryan's two-run home run in the fourth, making the score a narrow 5-4.

The narrow margin did not last long, as Berry crossed the plate seven times in the bottom of the fourth inning. The first of these runs came on Alex Knapp's RBI single, and the second run scored shortly later on Brunswick's infield single. Pendleton's bases loaded walk tacked another run on to the lead, and Austin Jetmore's sacrifice fly plated another. The tenth run for the Vikings scored on Pulaski's fielders' choice bunt. The final two runs of the inning came across on a wild pitch and Garrett Lang's RBI single, bringing their lead to 12-4.

The Blazers continued to threaten over the last five innings and the Vikings' bullpen bent, but never fully broke and preserved the lead for a final score of 12-9.

Brunswick had yet another great game in this series, as he went 2-for-4, knocked in three runs, and scored twice. He also made a great running catch where he leapt into the right field fence to get the out. Pulaski and Lang led the team with three hits, and Pendleton and Pulaski each had two RBIs. Knapp, Lang, and Jetmore each also had an RBI.

Starter Mason Snyder had five strikeouts and pitched into the fifth inning but was unable to be eligible for the win. Mason Schoonover was the first man out of the bullpen, and he earned his first win of the season. Jon Strydom worked a scoreless inning in the sixth before running into trouble in the seventh. Tyler Cassidy entered the game and finished the inning and then worked a perfect eighth. Aubrey Moraitakis worked a scoreless ninth and earned his second save of the season.

Game 2

VIKINGS STYMIED IN PITCHERS' DUEL

The Berry Vikings dropped the rubber match of the series against the Belhaven Blazers in a 3-1 pitchers' duel, the opposite of the first two games in the series.

Vikings starter Jackson Collett threw a 1-2-3 first inning, setting the tone for the rest of the game. In the first inning, Joey Garcia was 90 feet away from scoring the opening run courtesy of a pair of errors, but the breakthrough hit never came.

The game continued moving swiftly until the third inning, when Garcia's RBI single gave the Vikings a 1-0 lead. The next few innings flew by, with the score remaining a narrow Vikings lead until the sixth inning.

Collett allowed a leadoff single to start the sixth inning and was replaced midway through the next at-bat. One batter later, a J. D. Weed three-run home run flipped the script and gave the Blazers a 3-1 lead. The Vikings tried to respond in the bottom of the sixth, but Garcia would again be stranded 90 feet away. A quick seventh inning sealed Berry's fate for the game.

Garcia was the only Viking with multiple hits, and he had the only RBI for the team. Jameson Farley scored the only run for the Vikings, and he also had a hit. Austin Jetmore and Charles Pulaski also each had a hit.

Collett matched up well with Belhaven starter Kade May, who went the distance for the Blazers. Collett was credited with the loss, but his performance should not be overlooked. He pitched into the sixth inning with two strikeouts, and the only runs Belhaven scored were after he left the game. Aubrey Moraitakis worked a scoreless seventh for the Vikings with one strikeout.

Berry returns to action Tuesday, as they host Maryville College at 2 p.m. ET.