COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Berry College softball team delivered again winning their fourth straight elimination game as they took down the top seeded Trinity University Tigers 3-1 and then 2-0 to win their fifth straight SAA Championship on Sunday afternoon.
Game 1:
Ava Fouts (15-7) picked up the win pitching a complete game 7 innings allowing just one run on three hits while walking two and striking out four. Katelyn Boman led the offense going 1-for-2 with an RBI.
The Tigers would jump out to the early lead with a two out RBI single in the top of the first to make it 1-0. The Vikings would quickly answer in the bottom half as Elly Bennett delivered a sac fly to tie the game 1-1. Erica Bennett then came through with a two out RBI single to short to put the Vikings up 2-1.
That's all the offense the Vikings would need as Fouts was lights out in the circle, inducing two double plays in the third and fourth innings to keep the Tigers at bay. She then put them down in order in the top of the fifth and sixth innings. The Vikings offense would also tack on another run in the bottom of the fifth as Boman ripped an RBI single to left center to make it 3-1.Â
Fouts then closed out the game in the top of the seventh sending the Vikings to a winner take all championship game.
Game 2:
JJ Sweat (13-4) picked up the win pitching her second complete game shutout of the SAA Championships with a dominant 7 inning performance allowing just three hits while walking one and striking out three.
Needing a big performance from their freshman the Vikings got it as Sweat held the Tigers without a hit through the first three innings. The Vikings would then take the lead in the top of the fourth as Elly Bennett roped a one out double to left field and would then score on an error forced by Brooke Thompson to make it 1-0.
The Tigers looked to respond as they put two on with one out in the bottom of the fifth but Sweat didn't fold as she got back to back flyouts to end the threat. The Vikings then added an insurance run in the top of the fifth as they started the inning with two singles before Cothern delivered a sac fly to make it 2-0.
That's all the offense Sweat would need as she put down the Tigers in order in the bottom of the sixth before working around a leadoff double in the bottom of the seventh to retire the final three hitters and seal the championship win.
For her performance Sweat was named SAA Tournament MVP while
Ava Fouts,
Elly Bennett andÂ
Katelyn Boman were also named All-Tournament.
The Vikings had to win four straight elimination games to defend their title and after doing so Head Coach Meredith Mills said, "This team dug so deep this weekend. Unbelievable performances, unbelievable grit shown by our girls. We knew all we needed was our souls and spirits to catch fire and we would have a chance. Our team found that fire. I'm so incredibly proud of this team."
With the win the Vikings automatically punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament. Tune into the NCAA selection show on Monday, May 11 at 11:00 AM ET to find out where they will be headed.
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