MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Berry softball edged out Rhodes 2–1 in an extra-inning pitchers' duel in game one before turning up the offense in game two with an 8–0 run-rule win to complete the sweep.
Game 1
The Berry College softball team pulled off a hard-fought 2–1 win over Rhodes College in extra innings on Tuesday afternoon, securing the victory with a solo home run from Lauren Cothern in the top of the eighth inning.
The game opened as a pitchers' duel, with both teams struggling to bring runners home despite multiple opportunities. Paige Bennett and Elly Bennett sparked an early threat for Berry College (21-6, 6-0 SAA) with back-to-back singles in the top of the first, yet the Vikings could not capitalize, leaving two stranded.
Berry's starting hurler Hannah Gore and relievers Casey Holloway, Avery Greeson, and Megan Rapillo combined to hold the Lynx (11-14, 4-4 SAA) to just one unearned run across eight innings. Throughout the game, the Vikings' defense came through in critical moments, turning a key double play in the bottom of the first and leaving multiple runners stranded in scoring positions. The staff combined for eight strikeouts, with Holloway notably notching three of them in 1.1 innings of work.
El. Bennett led the Vikings offensively, going 3-for-4 at the plate, including a double, that hit the top of the fence and bounced back in the park, in the sixth that helped set up the game's first run. Later that inning, Cothern reached on an error that allowed El. Bennett to score, giving Berry a 1–0 lead.
Rhodes responded in the bottom of the seventh, capitalizing on back-to-back defensive errors to even the game 1–1 and force extra innings.
In the top of the eighth, Cothern delivered the decisive blow — a solo home run to left field that gave Berry the lead for good. Rapillo retired the side in order in the bottom of the frame to close out the game and secure the win.
Game 2
After a tight extra-inning battle in game one, the Berry College softball team flipped the script in game two, erupting offensively for a commanding 8–0 victory in five innings to secure the sweep at Rhodes College.
The Vikings broke a scoreless tie in the top of the third inning when Erica Bennett drove in the game's first run, following singles from Kennedy Moody and Cothern. Berry exploded for seven runs in the fifth, taking full advantage of timely hitting and defensive miscues by the Lynx.
As if the Lynx did not already know what an offensive threat she was from her first game performance, El. Bennett sparked the fifth-inning surge with a lead-off double and later capped the rally with a triple to right center, finishing the game 2-for-4 with an RBI. Freshman phenom Moody went 3-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base, while Greeson, in her second start of her career, added two hits and an RBI. Latifa Madesko was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to drive in another, and Bradynn Belcher reached on an error by the left fielder that allowed two more runs to score.
Berry capitalized on a combination of hits, aggressive base running, and Rhodes' defensive lapses — including an error, a passed ball, and a wild pitch — to stretch its lead to eight.
Rapillo entered the circle in relief in the bottom of the fifth and helped close the door after Gore's scoreless four innings in the circle. Rhodes was unable to mount a comeback, stranding three runners in their final chance.
The Vikings improve to 21-6 and will return to action tomorrow afternoon to close out the series against the Lynx.
