Oglethorpe Ends Season with Double Losses

ended the season losing in a doubleheader to visiting Berry College Saturday afternoon to wrap up a three-game series sweep.

The hosts faced slick pitching in game 1 and were trounced 16-2. Oglethorpe staged a late-innings rally in game 2, but still lost, 10-8.

Despite ending the year with a fourth-straight defeat, Oglethrope coach Dan Giordano was full of praise for his graduating seniors.

"Eight seniors – it goes by so fast," said Giordano. "We talked about legacy and leaving things behind. I think the seniors did that. When they got here, we weren’t very good…but they left their mark on this program, for sure."

Matt Cornwell had a rough time on the Oglethorpe mound in the opening game, giving up 15 hits and 12 runs across five innings.

The Vikings' bats exploded in the sixth inning, in which they scored seven runs. Winning pitcher Scott Pollack was a factor for Berry, only allowing two hits in a five-inning stretch.

Game two was one-sided up to the middle innings. The visitors' lead peaked at 6-1 before Oglethorpe responded with five runs to tie it in the fifth inning.

Cornwell's bases-loaded blooper scored one run, with two straight walks pushing the Petrels closer, 6-4. Catcher Joseph Parillo was then hit by a pitch, scoring another run, and a fielding error on a routine ground ball brought home another runner.

Berry responded with three runs in the sixth inning, including a two-run home run from Cory Pitts, his second of the afternoon.

However, Oglethorpe still offered one last salvo in the same frame before surrendering another run in the seventh inning. 's 2-RBI bomb moved the hosts closer, 9-8.

Pitcher Cory Leff, who completed four innings, picked up the loss.

"I think the guys gave everything they’ve got," said Giordano, who felt his team was fatigued following last week's regional tournament and final exams. "With final exams, our whole team wasn't here, but we did play better in the second game. I'm proud of the way the guys fought."

In the series opener on Friday night, Berry was victorious, taking it 10-4.

Oglethorpe concludes the 2011 season at 18-24.