ATLANTA, Ga.,—The Vikings captured their first ranked victory of the 2026 campaign Saturday, splitting a tight doubleheader with No. 15 Emory University, 2–3 and 3–2.

Game 1

Berry (2 runs, 3 hits) struck first in the top of the second when Kennedy Moody launched a solo home run, her second on the year, to give the Vikings a 1–0 lead. The early advantage held through two innings as Berry's defense kept Emory off the scoreboard.

In the third, the Vikings added to their lead. Madison Miller drew a leadoff walk and later moved to third on a double to right field from Elly Bennett. Lauren Cothern followed with a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Miller and extending the lead to 2–0.

Emory responded in the bottom of the third, capitalizing on a pair of singles and a Berry error to plate an unearned run and cut the deficit to 2–1.

The Eagles took control in the fourth inning with aggressive play on the basepaths. After a leadoff walk and single, Emory capitalized on opportunities to steal to ultimately tie the game. A sacrifice fly later in the inning allowed another run to cross, giving Emory a 3–2 advantage.

Berry threatened late, putting two runners on in the sixth after a walk to Erica Bennett and a pinch-hit single by Avery Greeson, but the Vikings were unable to push the tying run across. Emory's defense closed the door in the seventh to secure the win.

Game 2

In Game 2, JJ Sweat captured her first career victory over a ranked opponent, finishing with four strikeouts and surrendering just two earned runs on 11 hits, thanks to a lockdown defense playing behind her. A late rally in the seventh inning pushed the Vikings past the Eagles and ultimately sealed the victory.

The two teams traded early chances but remained scoreless through three innings. Berry threatened in the second, loading the bases behind singles from Rachel Runsick and Katelyn Boman, but Emory worked out of the jam to keep the game tied.

Emory broke through in the bottom of the fourth, stringing together four hits to plate two runs and take a 2–0 lead.

Berry chipped away in the sixth. After Cothern singled to center and was replaced by pinch runner Kensi Ody, Runsick delivered an RBI single to left field to cut the deficit to 2–1.

The Vikings saved their biggest push for the seventh inning. Ava Fouts ignited the rally with a single to left on one out before El. Bennett laced a double to center after an Eagle's pitching change to score Fouts and tie the game at 2–2. Bennett aggressively moved to third and later came home on a fielder's choice off the bat of Moody, giving Berry its first lead of the game at 3–2.

Emory put the tying run in scoring position in the bottom of the seventh after a leadoff double, but the Vikings' defense held firm. A pair of groundouts sealed the comeback victory and secured the ranked road win.

The Vikings will look to carry the momentum forward as approach the Lead-off Classic Tournament in Columbus, Georgia in one week.