Austin Neely's RBI Single Give Berry 10-Inning Win
Austin Neely drove in the winning run in the top of the 10th inning as Berry defeated the University of the Ozarks 7-6 in 10 innings at Smith-Wills Stadium in Jackson, Miss., Sunday.
Berry (2-0) held a 6-4 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, but the Eagles (1-1) would score two runs on Vikings' reliever Josh Dilbeck, who would go on to finish the inning, to send the game into extra innings.
In the 10th, Michael Frazier delivered a one-out triple to chase Ozarks pitcher Bo Thomas from the game. Neely then welcomed new hurler Jeffrey Works to the game by lining a first-pitch fastball over Ozarks' drawn-in infield to plate Frazier with what turned out to be the game-winning run.
After Dilbeck recorded the first out in the bottom of the 10th, Trent Hillis came in to slam the door and earn his second save in as many games to open the season. That total matches Matt McCalley's team-leading total in that category from all of last season.
Cory Pitts led the Vikings at the plate with three hits, including a triple, to go with a run batted in and a stolen base. Brandyn Jackson went 2-for-5 with a triple, a run scored and a stolen base, and Madison Moss collected a pair of hits, as well.
Dilbeck (1-0) earned the victory after allowing two runs on four hits in 2 1/3 innings of work. He was the fifth of sixth Berry pitchers used in the game.
The Vikings received a solid outing from starter Scott Pollock, who tossed five innings of shutout ball. The senior lefty allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out six batters.
TJ Page took the ball to start the sixth and allowed one run on two hits in 1 2/3 innings. Elliott Alexander finished the seventh, giving up a run in 1/3 of an inning. Casey Coats followed, allowing a hit and two runs to open the eighth before handing the ball to Dilbeck.
Thomas (0-1) took the loss for the Eagles.
Berry is scheduled to return to action Feb. 11 against Lynchburg College in Fayetteville, N.C.
- BerryVikings.com -