The No. 2-ranked Berry softball team advanced to the regional championship round of the NCAA DIII softball tournament on Friday battling No.19 Mary Hardin-Baylor in a 2-1 victory in Belton, Texas. Hannah Gore pitched seven hard fought innings in the circle, allowing only one run and struck out three.

The Vikings quickly loaded the bases in the first inning with one out when designated player Lauren Cothern stepped up to the plate. Cothern drew a walk sending Morgan Frye in for the first run.

The Crusaders answered back in the bottom of the first with a run scoring on a sac fly.

In the third inning, Cothern singled to bring home Anna Jackson, giving Berry the lead, and also concluded the scoring on both sides.

Jackson had three hits on the day, and Cothern collected two RBI.
 
Berry will face the winner of the Mary Hardin-Baylor/University St.Thomas (TX) rematch in the championship round on Saturday at 1 p.m. EDT.