MOUNT BERRY, Ga. - Berry Softball finished their regular season at home this afternoon with two games against Atlanta opponent Emory.
Game One: Berry 4 - Emory 9
The first game between the Vikings and Eagles was a tough match as both teams were in the top 25 at some point this season. The game dragged out as each batter took their time in the box to square off against the opposing pitcher with two and a half hours of play.
Each team found a hit in the first inning, but it would be Berry who opened the scoring in the bottom of the second. Freshman
Avery Greeson had a great day at the plate and began the inning with a double and she would later score after
Bradynn Belcher advanced her on a sacrifice bunt and
Rachel Runsick's single pushed her across the plate. After a fly out,
Elly Bennett brought in the second run for the Vikings who went up 2-0 before heading into the third inning.
Emory showed their skill in the top of the inning scoring three runs on four hits with a Berry error. The Eagles were now on top at 3-2 before
Hannah Gore, who had four strikeouts and is now one shy of her 500 mark was relieved by junior pitcher
Casey Holloway.
In the next inning the Eagles were able to score two more runs after two walks and a costly double to bring in the two on base. Emory would keep it going by adding another two runs in the fifth to take the 7-2 lead and as the Vikings tried to come back, the Eagles continued to score in pairs of two. Berry's late rally in the seventh would not be enough to overcome the 9-2 deficit even with two more runs.
Game Two: Berry 4 - Emory 3
Ava Fouts earned the game two win in the circle for the Vikings allowing only three runs and throwing all seven innings with 122 pitches.
At the plate it was again freshman, Greeson who stood out going 2-3 and four individual Vikings had RBIs.
This game had a slow start with both defenses holding true. Berry once again scored first but it was not until the bottom of the fourth inning after two hits, one from
Paige Bennett and the other by Greeson. This time instead of letting the Eagles take control, Berry did work to hold them to one run in the next inning.
Berry showed up in the fifth inning with four hits that scored two runs. Three consecutive singles loaded the bases and a sacrifice fly from
Paige Bennett scored the first of two and
Lauren Cothern singled in the other to be on top at 4-1. The Eagles again tried to answer with two runs of their own but the Vikings again held them off within a one run distance.
Berry headed back to the field for the final time in the top of the seventh to end the game, they would allow one hit but no runners to score to split with the Eagles.
Berry finishes the regular season with a 29-11 record, going 13-2 in the SAA. Next up the Vikings head to Columbus, Georgia for the Southern Athletic Association tournament where they will take on the winner of the opening round game between fourth seeded Hendrix Warriors and the fifth seeded Sewanee Tigers.
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