ROME, Ga. - The Berry College baseball program rallied late from an early five run deficit to take down the Sewanee Tigers 12-6 in the first game of the SAA Championships on Thursday afternoon at AdventHealth Stadium.
JohnMark Christopher got the start and pitched 4 2/3 innings allowing four runs, three earned on seven hits while walking two and striking out three. Jackson Collett picked up the win in relief pitching 1/3 of an inning. Jacob Bridges led the offense going 3-for-4 with 2 RBI.
The Tigers took advantage of an error in the top of the second to take an early 1-0 lead. The score would remain that way until the bottom of the fourth as Chaz Moore came through with a clutch two out RBI single to right to tie the game 1-1. The Vikings couldn't hold the Tigers down though as they put up three runs in the top of the fifth to extend their lead to 4-1. Brady Greene then came in from the bullpen and got a huge out to limit the damage.
The Vikings looked to respond but the Tigers got to Greene in the top of the seventh as they took a 6-1 lead. Collett then came in from the bullpen to get a big out and end the frame. The Vikings then came storming back as they started the inning with two and one out for SAA Player of the Year Riley Uhls. Uhls then smashed a 2-2 pitch into right center to drive in two runs to make it 6-3. The Vikings then loaded the bases for Jacob Bridges who ripped a two RBI single into center to make it 6-5. After a great bunt by Chace Edmonds to reload the bases Austin Jetmore forced a fielder's choice error to plate two more runs and put the Vikings ahead 7-6.
Eric Fountain then came in from the bullpen for the Vikings and worked around two hits to pitch a scoreless top of the eighth. The Vikings then blew the game open in the bottom of the eighth as they loaded the bases with two outs and tacked on two more runs on a wild pitch and throwing error to make it 9-6. Chance Edmonds then ripped a two out RBI single to left to make it 10-6. The Vikings would then load the bases again for Garrett Lang who delivered a two run RBI double to increase the lead to 12-6. Cole Porter then put the Tigers down in order in the 9th to seal the Vikings eighth win in a row.
The Vikings will next take on second seeded Rhodes tonight with a scheduled time of 7:45 PM, but the game will likely start later due to an earlier rain delay. Follow Berry Vikings on x and Instagram for updates.
