MEMPHIS - The Rhodes College baseball team produced 11 runs on 14 hits to go along with a great pitching performance from freshman Trey Sledge as they defeated the Berry Vikings to clinch the series, 11-1 (7), on Saturday afternoon at Stauffer Field.

The Lynx were able to avoid inclement weather, but brought their thunder at the plate, using big fifth and sixth innings to put the Vikings away.

Rhodes got going early in the first inning after freshman Paul Giacomazzi led the inning off with a triple followed by a fielder's choice that put senior Bennett Notestine on base. Senior Bill Munson laced a double down the left field line to score a run for a 1-0 lead. Sophomore Jacob Telli flew one deep to left to score Notestine and make it 2-0.

In the second, Giacomazzi continued to do damage at the plate, flying to deep center to move the lead out to 3-0.

It was all Sledge really needed as he was dealing most of the afternoon, pitching six complete innings and allowing on run on four hits and striking out four. Freshman Nick Ferngren finished the contest off in the seventh with two K's.

The Lynx blew the game wide open in the fifth as sophomore Chris Winter blasted a two RBI double down the left field line while freshman Jon Michael Lauck drove in one more on an error. Giacomazzi added a two RBI double in the inning to make it an 8-0 lead.

Berry got one back in the sixth and looked to threaten, but a beautiful 6-4-3 double play ended the threat and kept Rhodes on top 8-1.

In the sixth, Winter struck again with his second two RBI double down the left field line to put the Lynx in double digit. Lauck made it a 10 run lead with a RBI single as Rhodes looked to end the game early and did just that in the top half of the seventh.

Giacomazzi finished 3-for-4 with a double, triple, three RBI, and a run score, finishing one home run short of the cycle. Winter added a 2-for-3 day with two double and four RBI while Lauck was 3-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored. Senior Ryan Olive finished 2-for-2 with two walks and two runs scored. Telli was 1-for-1 with a double, a run, a RBI, a walk, and a hit by pitch.

Rhodes had found their stride thanks in part to terrific pitching performances, moving to 13-11 overall and 6-3 in the SAA, currently second. The Lynx will play a weekday contest on Wednesday as they head down the road to take on Division II opponent Christian Brothers at 3 PM.