Adekale Ande, Campus Carrier Asst. Sports Editor
Berry softball played their first doubleheader of the season against Maryville College on Saturday. Maryville took the first game 3-2, while Berry took the latter game 8-0 in five innings.
The Vikings’ offense in the first game was led by junior Marie Collop who went 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI. Juniors Sarah Moore and Brittany Ferrell each respectively had one hit in the loss.
Berry was on top of Maryville 2-1 until the top of the sixth inning when, thanks to a field player’s error, two runners scored, putting the Vikings ahead 3-2.
Maryville’s Elizabeth Wheeler and Casey Jolliff each had one RBI for the Scots in the victory.
Berry bounced back in the second game.
“The biggest adjustment [between the first and second games] was being more selective with pitches. The second game started with the same pitcher from the first game so we adjusted to her, which made [Maryville] bring in two other pitchers,” said freshman ultility player Katlin Seger.
Moore led Berry’s offense in the second game, going 3-for-3 at the plate, while scoring two runs and adding three RBIs.
Collop and Kylie Aiken both added two hits for the Vikings going 2-for-3 at the plate. Callop had one RBI. Aiken had two RBIs and one run.
Five other players in the game had hits for Berry: sophomore Brittany Tuttle, freshmen Kayla Sangrey and Katlin Seger, and juniors Allison DeBusk and Karlie Jarrett.
Sophomore pitcher Kassie Howard (1-0) earned her first win of the season pitching five shutout innings while only allowing four hits and striking out eight batters.
Aiken said the upcoming season looks promising for Berry softball.
“Considering we didn’t lose many people last year and we have a lot more potential this year, we’re hoping to win conference again,” Aiken said. “This year our goal is super regionals if not nationals, so we are hoping for the best.”
The Vikings’ (1-1) next home matchup is Friday at Ford Field against DePauw University. The first game is set for noon.