Baseball notches 7-4 victory and series win over Montreat

MARION, N.C. (March 13, 2022)— The Milligan University baseball team defeated Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) opponent Montreat College by a score of 7-4 on Sunday afternoon. This marked Milligan's third conference series win of the season thus far.

Milligan climbs to 19-9 (8-4 AAC) while Montreat falls to 16-13 (5-7 AAC)

The Buffs darted out to a three-run lead in the top half of the first inning. Brandon Marello leadoff the game with a single up the middle before a bunt single by Anthony Guzman gave Milligan two runners on with no outs. In the following at-bat, Justin Greene singled through the right side to score Marello and move Guzman up to third base. A sacrifice fly and fielder's choice in the next two at-bats lead to two more runs for the Buffs in the inning.

Montreat added a run in the home half of the six after two base on balls and a one-out single loaded the bases. In the next at-bat, another walk allowed for the Cavalier run to cross the plate. Chance Hall, entering the game with the bases loaded, recorded the second out via a strikeout and the third on a fly out to center field.

A Montreat error in the top half of the seventh gave Milligan its first baserunner of the inning before a sacrifice bunt allowed for the runner to move into scoring position with one out. An RBI-single through the right side of the infield by Marello scored the runner from second to give the Buffs a 4-1 lead heading into the bottom half of the inning.

A one-out walk followed by an error and wild pitch led to a run scored for Montreat in the bottom of the seventh. The Cavaliers threatened again later in the inning after a hit by pitch loaded the bases with two outs, but a strikeout ended the inning before any more damage could be done.

Montreat tied the game in the bottom of the eighth inning. A leadoff single followed by a walk and sacrifice bunt gave the Cavaliers two baserunners in scoring position with one out. A sacrifice fly into center field in the next at-bat allowed for the third run of the game to be scored for Montreat. A Milligan error to the next Cavalier hitter knotted the game at four.

Milligan retook the lead in the top half of the ninth by scoring three runs in the inning. Gaven Jones led off the inning with a walk and later scored on a sacrifice fly into center field by Guzman. Greene then ripped a two-run homer to give Milligan a 7-4 lead going into the bottom of the ninth.