Matt Smith, Campus Carrier Assistant Sports Editor
The Berry baseball team played Birmingham Southern College on Sunday in the final game of a three-game series played over the weekend.
The Vikings were defeated by the Panthers with a final score of 3-2. The low scoring game was a battle between both teams’ pitchers, both of whom did not allow any runs during the first seven innings.
The Panthers scored the first run of the game in the eighth inning off of Berry’s sophomore pitcher TJ Montgomery, who scattered five hits during the game.
The Panthers scored two more runs during the top of the ninth inning off of the Vikings sophomore relief pitcher Danny Parry. They finished the game with a total of seven hits.
The Vikings scored both of their runs during the bottom of the ninth inning.
Junior first basemen Alex McGill was the first to score for the Vikings, running home from a ground out by shortstop freshman Alfred Francis. Senior second basemen Austin Neely also scored for the Vikings, making it home after a single from senior catcher Will Heard, who had two of the seven hits for the Vikings during the game. The game ended when sophomore first baseman Doug Heath grounded out to third base.
Following the game, the Vikings’ record moved to 16-7, with a 6-3 record in the Southern Athletic Association Conference. The Panthers’ record moved to 19-4, with an SAA record of 10-2.
“We just need to focus on bringing the same intensity to every practice and game for the rest of the season,” Heard said. “We have great senior leadership and a lot of guys who are contributing in different roles.”
Heard also said he believes the team has a new outlook on the season because of the postseason potential.
“The team definitely has a different mentality than other teams in the past,” Heard said. “A lot of that has to do with it being the first year we can qualify for the NCAA tournament.”
Head coach David Beasley said the key to a successful postseason in the NCAA tournament will be a good defense.
“We have a good defensive club,” Beasley said. “Which is the key to what we are doing right this year. I think we are improving on defense compared to the past couple of years … This is the first year that we are eligible for the postseason … and we have taken a huge step that we need to in order to move on for the future.”
The Vikings’ next game was played on Wednesday, March 26 at Maryville College. The Vikings finished with a 13-5 win, improving their record by bringing it to 17-7. Seniors outfielder Stephen Gaylor and catcher/third basemen Zach Farmer led the Vikings offensively, with Gaylor scoring two runs and stealing two bases and Farmer scoring three runs and one home run.
The Vikings will next play at Millsaps College in Jackson Miss. on Saturday, March 29.