DANVILLE, Ky. – The Birmingham-Southern softball team has gone back-to-back via its 8-0 run-rule victory over Berry in the championship game of the Southern Athletic Association tournament April 25.

It's the third SAA title for the Panthers as they won the tournament in 2014 and 2019. The 2020 SAA Tournament was canceled due to COVID-19 shutdowns. Birmingham Southern (28-4) will learn its NCAA Division III tournament opponent on May 17.

SAA Tournament MVP and Pitcher/Newcome of the Year Hailee Bryan, 10-4, (Laurel Hill, Fla./Paxton) allowed just one hit, a one-out fourth-inning single, with three strikeouts and a walk. It was her second one-hitter in nine career starts and a team-high sixth complete game.

Birmingham-Southern scored in three of its four innings, including a four-run fourth to put the team in position for the run-rule win.

Kailey Walters (Trussville, Ala./Hewitt-Trussville) was the only player with multiple hits as the Panthers took advantage of five Berry errors to go along with their eight hits. Walters was 2-for-3 with one run scored and two RBI.

Izzy Berkopec (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mars Area) had the only extra-base hit knock for Birmingham Southern, a two-out, two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Birmingham-Southern will travel to Emory University on May 1 for a 2 p.m. ET non-conference doubleheader.

SAA All-Tournament Selections
Hailee Bryan (MVP)
Izzy Berkopec
Saydee Keith
Madison Plunkett,