Memphis - No. 16- ranked Berry College opened the weekend with a three-run home run on their way to a 7-5 victory in game one against the Lynx. In game two the Vikings escaped with a 5-4 victory after crossing three unearned runs. Berry is now 19-3 on the season while the Lynx fall to 6-7.
Game 1
A walk to open the series came back to haunt the Lynx as Berry opened the game with four runs on four hits including two singles, three-run home run and a double. A Rhodes error to open the top of the third eventually allowed another run to cross to give Berry a 5-0 advantage. After three scoreless innings, Rhodes got on the scoreboard in the seventh. With two outs, three straight singles crossed the first run. A hit-by-pitch and walk later, the Lynx trailed 5-2. In the bottom of the eighth Rhodes plated three runs on three hits and a Berry error to tie the game.
A leadoff double in the ninth followed by an intentional walk, single and sac fly scored the winning run for the Vikings. Berry added an insurance run after an errant Lynx throw allowed their final run to score. Rhodes stranded runners at first and second in the bottom of the ninth.
Brett Bokelman struck out four and forced five Berry batters to hit into a groundout over 4.1 innings of work in relief for the Lynx. He allowed zero hits and no earned runs during his time on the mound. At the plate,
Dante Messina went 3-for-4 while
Mitchell O'Berry and
John McNair tallied two hits.
Paul Giacomazzi and O'Berry each earned two RBI.
Game 2 (7 innings)
Berry led 1-0 before a Lynx throwing error and would-be third out, extended the second inning to allow the Vikings to go up 4-0. Rhodes cut that lead to two on a two-run homer by
Ben Wilson in the bottom of the second inning. Berry stranded three in the third and went up 5-2 with a single run in the top of the fourth. In the bottom of the sixth, two singles set up Rhodes in scoring position when
Wood Kimbrough doubled in a run. A groundout earned McNair an RBI to pull Rhodes within one.
Nathan Mirochnick and
John Gibbs both struck out three Vikings. Gibbs did so in 1.1 innings of work.
Chris Penna and Wilson both went 3-for-3 at the plate while
Dante Messina went 2-for-3. Berry allowed zero walks in the game.
Rhodes and Berry will meet in another doubleheader tomorrow at noon.
