Matt Zimemrman, Campus Carrier Staff Writer
Chris Ferguson, Campus Carrier Asst. Sports Editor
This past Sunday night on Bowdoin field, the Berry baseball team took the field with a favorable season on their backs. The boys had back-to-back games against the Rhodes Lynx and were able to take care of business in both games. The first game was close as they won by a thin margin of 3-2, but the second game was no close game, as they defeated the Lynx 10-4. These victories allowed them to become the No. 1 team in conference standings.
Both games were won under the leadership of the seniors: Jacob Delk, Jason Rose, Austin Brooks, Austin Loper, Trey Rampy, Joey Ruiz and JP Chamblee.
In the two games, Jacob Delk went 4-for-9 and brought in 4 RBI’s, which led to his selection as the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) baseball player of the week. After this past weekend, Delk now ranks third in the conference with a batting average of .408, as well as first in the conference in RBI’s with 39.
Trey Rampy also had a standout performance this past weekend, earning his 63rd punchout of the year. This allowed him to break the single-season program record in Berry’s NCAA Division III era for strikeouts.
“This year’s team has been the greatest group of guys I’ve been with,” Senior Austin Loper said. “We have an electric chemistry and you can tell when we play. It’s been an honor to play with this group of guys.”
The general consensus of the senior class is that this team is something special – something bigger than playing for their own personal gain.
“This team has meant so much to me because of the love we have for each other and the determination we have to succeed for everyone else on the team instead of just ourselves,” senior JP Chamblee said.
Berry has never won the SAA conference title in baseball, and the team seems optimistic about the potential of winning the conference because of the work they have done this season thus far. The team has been able to put themselves in a good position to fight for the conference title, as they are 23-10 on the season, and 14-4 in SAA play.
Heading into the final weekend of conference competition, Berry has a two-game lead and has the opportunity to clinch the team’s first SAA title outright with a series victory over Sewanee. Before the team matches up against the tigers, they faced Covenant College in their final out-of-conference games. Because these games were not in conference, it proved to be a good transition into their final regular season game.
For many of the seniors, they realize that their college athletic careers are soon coming to a close and the team means more to them than just the plays made on the field.
“This senior season has meant more than just being a part of a baseball team,” senior Trey Rampy said. “This season has brought me camaraderie and memories I can carry with me for the rest of my life.”
“This senior season has been a blast,” senior Jacob Delk said. “This team has grown really close and it has helped us on and off the field. Being a part of the Berry baseball family is something that I will cherish and remember for years to come.”