Baylor junior catcher Sophie Piskos rounds the bases after her seventh home run of the season in Tuesday's 10-0 home victory against Chattanooga Christian.Dominance inside the circle is not the only thing that makes Baylor freshman Syd Berzon wow her softball teammates and coaches.
While striking out 2.1 batters per inning thanks to a high-60s fastball and freezing off-speed pitches, Berzon has helped aid the middle of the lineup as a strong contact hitter. She has struck out only twice this season as a batter.
The LSU commitment closed a 10-0 five-inning victory Tuesday at home over Chattanooga Christian with a two-run double halfway up the right-center-field fence.
"As a freshman in high school, Sydney is one of the best I have ever seen," said Lady Red Raiders coach Kelli Smith, who has been a part of all 12 of the program's state championships since 1993 either as a player or head coach. "I am really speechless in terms of what she can do out there. She takes control of a game and can get the job done offensively, too."
Baylor (33-3) provided the young phenom with loads of support at the plate.
The Lady Raiders laced five of their 15 hits for extra bases, while Raven Jones, Acelynn Sellers and Berzon each collected three hits. Berzon doubled twice and drove in three runs along with her catcher, Sophie Piskos.
After a leadoff single by Emily Rye and a walk to Makayla Packer, the slugging Piskos drilled a high fly to left center that just sneaked over the fence. Her seventh home run of the season created a quick 3-0 lead.
"Sophie is so valuable for us in terms of what she does defensively and working with our pitching staff," Smith said. "She is the catcher you dream of having. When we can give our pitchers three to four runs to work with, we feel great about our chances to win any game."
Jones' two-run single up the middle put Baylor ahead 7-0 in the second inning, which matched its combined run total from wins over CCS of 3-2 and 4-1 earlier in the season.
CCS (19-8) had four hits and struck out eight times against Berzon, who walked a pair. Madison Vandergriff went 2-for-3 with a double in the loss.
Other highlights for the road squad included Lauren Day's diving grab and throw across the diamond and a long run by shortstop Mary Vandergriff to chase down a pop fly.
"We have an experienced team that really has high expectations going into the postseason," Lady Chargers coach Lisa Gray said. "We faced Sydney three times this season, and I think that will help us out going forward. We got runners on today but couldn't drive them in."
Holding opponents to two runs or less 86% of the time this season, the Lady Raiders know if they are to win a fourth straight Division II-AA state championship in May, their offense must do just enough.
"We just can't get down on our hitting," Piskos said. "I have been working with Syd since she was 12, and we all know our pitching can carry us. We just have to keep each other positive and stay up, and we will be fine."
Contact staff writer Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.