Berry Sweeps Twin Bill With Two Last At-Bat Wins
ROME, Ga. - Berry scored in its final at-bat in each game to earn a doubleheader sweep of Tennessee Temple at Berry's William R. Bowdoin Field Friday. The Vikings won the first game 3-2 and the second game 7-6.
Both games were seven-inning affairs.
In the opener, Berry shortstop Drew McDuffie drove in the game-winning run with a two-out single to right field that scored Jonathan Stump, who reached on an error earlier in the inning. McDuffie's RBI came on the heels of another error that allowed Preston Neely, who singled earlier in the inning, to score.
Austin Neely drove in the Vikings' first run of the game, with a run-scoring single down the right field line that scored McDuffie in the sixth.
McDuffie and Austin Neely each had two hits and an RBI to lead Berry's offense.
Berry hurler Cameron Rich (3-1) tossed a complete game to earn the win. He allowed one earned run, allowing just three hits, while walking four batters in his seven innings. Rich fanned six batters.
Tennessee Temple's Josh Daniel went the distance, as well. He allowed one earned run on seven hits.
As they did in the opener, Berry scored twice in the bottom of the seventh to win the nightcap, but instead of driving in the winning run, McDuffie scored it.
The shortstop jogged home from third when Thomas Johnson delivered a one-out, bases-loaded single to right field to win the ballgame. Johnson's RBI came just after Austin Neely drew a walk to tie the game.
Berry collected 14 hits in the second game, including two each from Cory Pitts, Austin Neely, Johnson, Stump, Preston Neely and Zach Farmer. Johnson and Stump each drove in a pair of runs.
Tyler Cross, Ryan Bruce and Corey Rhinehart had three hits each to lead the Crusaders.
Trent Hillis (1-1), the fourth pitcher used by the Vikings in the game, earned the win. He struck out one batter and gave up one hit in one inning.
Berry starter TJ Page allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits in three innings. Page struck out one batter.
Zack Duncan took the loss in a complete-game effort for Tennessee Temple. He allowed four earned runs on 14 hits and five walks while striking out two batters.
The Vikings and Crusaders are scheduled to return to action Saturday at 1 p.m., at Sequatchie County High School in Dunlap, Tenn.
- BerryVikings.com -