MOUNT BERRY, Ga. - The No. 5 Berry College softball team (15-3) swept a doubleheader with the Asbury University Eagles as they rallied from a four run deficit to win 11-6 and then took the second game in a 1-0 shutout on Tuesday afternoon.
Game 1:
Ava Fouts picked up the win throwing a complete game 7 innings allowing six runs on six hits while walking five and striking out five. Ryan Henderson led the offense going 1-for-3 with 3 RBIs.
The Vikings struck first in the bottom of the first as Kennedy Moody delivered a clutch two out RBI single to take a 1-0 lead. The game remained that way until the fourth inning when Fouts ran into trouble leading to five runs from the Eagles as they took a 5-1 advantage.
The Vikings offense rallied in the bottom of the fourth as Rachel Runsick unleashed a one out RBI double after a fielder's choice to make it 5-2. Two batters later Latifa Madesko came through with an RBI single to make it 5-3. Then with two down Fouts ripped a two run single to tie the game 5-5. The Vikings would then retake the lead as Elly Bennett came through with an RBI single to make it 6-5.
Fouts then shut down the Eagles in the top of the fifth while the offense added to the lead. With two on and one out Ryan Henderson crushed a three run shot to right field, her first career Vikings hit to increase the lead to 9-5. The Eagles weren't done either as they pulled a run back in the top of the sixth to make it 9-6 but the Vikings answered right back with an Elly Bennett RBI single and a forced error as they went on to win 11-6.
Game 2:
JJ Sweat picked up the win throwing a complete game 7 inning shutout allowing just three hits while walking one and striking out nine. Ava Fouts led the offense going 2-for-3 with an RBI.
With both pitchers coming into the matchup with ERA's below 1.05 the game was a pitcher's duel. Sweat worked around a leadoff walk to strike out the side in the top of the first. The Vikings offense meanwhile had a great chance to score in the bottom of the second with Erica Bennett getting a leadoff double but the Eagles got out of the jam to keep the game scoreless.
Sweat continued to dazzle on the mound as she struck out the Eagles in order in the top of the fifth. The Vikings offense fed off that as they finally broke through in the bottom half with who other than Fouts delivered a clutch two out RBI single to put the Vikings up 1-0. That's all the run support Sweat would need as she retired the final five batters in order to seal the win.
The Vikings continue their season on the road as they open up SAA play against Southwestern on Saturday, March 21 with a doubleheader beginning at 2:00 PM in Georgetown, TX.
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