The Berry College baseball team opened Southern Athletic Association play in fine fashion as the Vikings won at Hendrix, 14-8, on Friday afternoon.

The visiting Vikings (4-5, 1-0) outhit the Warriors (4-7, 0-1) 14-11 and took advantage of four Hendrix errors.

In the top of the first, Berry scored six runs on five hits and two errors. Catcher Devin Skelton had the big hit of the inning, with a two-run base hit. Skelton went 3-5 with a run and four RBIs for the Vikings.

The Vikings added two more in the second after three hits and another defensive miscue, taking an 8-0 lead. Austin Neely, Steven Gaylor, Doug Heath and Nick Stidham all had two hits in the win. Stidham also had four RBIs for Berry.

The Warriors made it a one-run game in the seventh on a RBI single from Perschke and a two-run double by Simmons.

Berry tacked on three more runs in the eighth and two more in the ninth for the final 14-8 tally.

Casey Gray (2-1) earned the win for the Vikings, allowing five hits, four earned runs, two walks and striking out four in five innings.

Jacob Perschke (1-2) was tagged with the loss, giving up eight hits, six earned runs, a walk and fanning six in three innings.

Hendrix and Berry will play the second game of the series on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Hendrix and Berry will play the second game of the series on Saturday at 2 p.m.

BERRY SWIMMERS, DIVERS HONORED

Twelve members of the Berry College women’s swimming and diving program have earned the Team Scholar All American award from the Collegiate Swimming Coaches Association (CSCA).

The Team Scholar All American award is presented to college and university swimming and diving teams, who have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

“This is a great honor for these Berry student-athletes,” said Viking head coach Paul Flinchbaugh. “I am overjoyed to see the six freshmen accept the challenge and step up academically to continue the tradition.”

This is the fourth consecutive year the Viking women swimmers have earned this honor. The Berry student-athletes recognized are:

Barbara Briggs, sophomore, nursing

Rhoxie Ellard, freshman, business

Katelyn Geiss, sophomore, exercise science

Hannah Johnson, freshman, biology

Mariah Moon, junior, psychology

Kaitlin O’Brien, junior, psychology

Michelle Pilcher, freshman, undeclared

Rachel Sandoval, junior, animal science

Kayla Sanner, senior, communications

Janelle Spanjers, freshman, undeclared

Stephanie Stadnick, freshman, exercise science

Casey Stillwell, freshman, undeclared