COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Berry College softball team (12-2) dominated the Spalding University Golden Eagles 12-2 and the Bethel University Royals 13-3 in a pair of five inning wins to win the NFCA Lead Off Classic on Sunday afternoon in Columbus.
Game 1:
JJ Sweat picked up the win throwing 4 2/3Â innings allowing just three hits while walking one and striking out five. Kennedy Moody led the offense going 2-for-2 with 3 RBIs.
The Vikings got off to a fast start as Moody crushed a one out three run bomb to center to put the Vikings up 3-0 in the bottom of the first. Later with two on and still one out Brooke Thompson delivered an RBI single to left to increase the Vikings lead to 4-0. Bradyn Belcher then finished off the scoring with an RBI single to center to make it 5-0.Â
Sweat would shut down the Golden Eagles for the first three innings while the Vikings offense continued to hit on all cylinders. The Vikings loaded the bases in the bottom of the second and would push across a run on an error forced by Erica Bennett to make it 6-0. Two batters later Thompson unleashed a two run double to center to push the Vikings lead to 8-0.
The Vikings would strike again in the bottom of the third as Lauren Cothern ripped a one out RBI double to center to make it 9-0. Two batters later it would be Avery Greeson unleashing an RBI triple to left to increase the lead to 11-0. The Golden Eagles would finally get on the board with two runs in the fourth to make it 11-2 but the Vikings offense wasn't done either as Cara Holland delivered an RBI groundout in the bottom of the fourth as the Vikings won 12-2 in five innings.
Game 2:
Ava Fouts picked up the win throwing a complete game 5 innings allowing three runs on four hits while walking three and striking out four. Elly Bennett led the offense going 3-for-4 with six RBIs.
The Royals struck first as they got two runs in the top of the first to take a 2-0 lead. The Vikings wouldn't stay down for long as they answered in the bottom of the second. With the bases loaded and two down Elly Bennett delivered a clutch two run double to left to tie the game 2-2. Lauren Cothern then smashed a three run shot to left to put the Vikings up 5-2.
The Royals would pull a run back in the top of the third on an error to make it 5-3 but the Vikings answered right back with another big inning in the bottom of the third. After a walk and a sac bunt Latifa Madesko came through with an RBI single to make it 6-3. Two batters later Fouts delivered an RBI single to center to increase the lead to 7-3. Elly Bennett then ripped a two run double followed by a Cothern single to give the Vikings a commanding 10-3 lead. Two batters later Erica Bennett put the Vikings ahead 11-3.
Fouts retired the final nine Royals in order while the Vikings offense struck again in the bottom of the fourth. The Vikings would load the bases with two singles and a walk before Elly Bennett ripped a two run double to left as the Vikings won 13-3 in five innings.
The Vikings continue their season at home on Thursday, March 12 with a doubleheader against Huntingdon beginning at 3:00 PM at Kay Williams Field.
Â
