Buffaloes Softball Splits on Opening Day at Spartanburg Methodist

Maggie Johnson was responsible for the game-winning RBI in Milligan's game one win at Spartanburg Methodist College on Thursday
Maggie Johnson was responsible for the game-winning RBI in Milligan's game one win at Spartanburg Methodist College on Thursday
February 6, 2025

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – On Thursday, the Milligan softball squad opened their 2025 campaign in Spartanburg, S.C. against the Spartanburg Methodist College Pioneers. The soon-to-be Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) foes battled to a tight split, as the Buffaloes earned a 2-1 win in game one and were shut out 3-0 in the latter tilt.

In the opening game of the Buffs' season, they trailed in the early stages after a RBI sacrifice fly  in the bottom of the first inning.

Milligan quickly responded in the top of the second, scoring their own run on an RBI groundout to shortstop. Ashley Worley put the ball in play with less than two outs, driving home Alana Parsons in the process.

After a battle of attrition with the bats, the Buffaloes finally broke through again in the top of the seventh, as a squeeze bunt was put down beautifully by Maggie Johnson to chase home Worley, giving MU a 2-1 lead that they would hold on to in the bottom of the frame.

The second contest was a major struggle for the Buffs, who could not get on the scoreboard in the tilt.

For SMC, it was a solo homer in the fourth and a pair of runs scored in the fifth inning to earn a 3-0 win over Milligan.

The squad saw Parsons (3-for-6, R) lead them offensively with a trio of singles. Mia Grasse was the only other player with multiple hits on the day, as she went 2-for-6 with a pair of singles. The squad did not have an extra-base hit on the afternoon.

Milligan's pitching staff had a great day, especially in game one, as Bree Presnell tossed a complete game and allowed only one run on five hits in the contest. The pitching in the second battle was not much worse, as Katelin Secrist gave up six hits in four full frames with three runs (one earned) allowed. She was relieved by Faith Caldwell, who hurled two scoreless innings with three hits surrendered.

Now, the squad will have a hiatus until Feb. 15, when they head out to Winston-Salem, N.C. to face the Bruins of Carolina University in a doubleheader set to begin at 1 p.m.