JACKSON, MS- The Millsaps Majors dropped a pair of tight games to the Berry Vikings on Saturday, falling 2-1 and 6-4 (7 innings).
In game one, Smokey Ethridge (pictured) was out dueled by Ben Jernigan as both starters went the full nine innings.
The junior went the distance, allowing two earned runs, scattering six hits while striking out four.
Berry played small ball to get the game's first run in the third. The Vikings got a single, advanced the runner to third on a pair of ground outs, before a two-out single scored the run.
The Majors would get runners into scoring position in the fourth and fifth, but could capitalize. Berry would make it 2-0 in the sixth getting a single and pushing the runner to third on a sacrifice and single. A sac fly brought home the run as the Vikings went up 2-0.
William Chenoweth popped a home run to left field in the bottom of the frame as the outfielder just kept the ball inside the left field foul pole. The homer survived an umpire discussion as the Majors made it 2-1. However, Millsaps would get just one runner on base in the final three innings as they dropped the game one pitcher's duel.
GAME TWO BOX
In game two, each team would tally a run in the first inning. The Vikings took advantage of an error to score an unearned run to take the early lead. Millsaps would tie it up with some small ball of their own in the bottom of the first. Logan Patterson singled and went to second on a sac bunt and to third on a passed ball. Isaac Glenn drove home the freshman with a single to knot the game.
The Vikings hung a crooked three-spot in the second, loading the bases on two walks and a single. A walk, sac fly and single brought home the three runs to make it 4-1 Berry. Again, Millsaps would threaten, getting runners to second and third but couldn't bring home a run in the bottom of the second.
The pitchers would settle in and throw up zeros until the top of the fifth inning. The Vikings would capitalize on another Millsaps' error, allowing Ben Jernigan to score and make it 5-1. That chased Keith Shumaker from the game as West Hammond came in and retire the side.
Millsaps would climb with in 5-4 after Samuel Doucet unloaded a three-run home run to left field in the bottom of the sixth. The blast brought home Shumaker and Andrew Rafferty who had both singled. The Majors threatened to tie the game after Chenoweth reached on an error and stole both second and third. Stephen Gates would fly out to the warning track in left to keep it 5-4 Vikings.
Berry added insurance in the seventh, scoring another unearned run. Gates lost a ball in the sun after moving to first base, prolonging the inning and allowing a run to score off a ground out. Shumaker would single in the seventh but that would be it as Millsaps fell to 3-7 in the SAA.
The Majors now sit at 13-13 overall and will look to get the rubber match from the Vikings on Sunday. First pitch is set for noon.
