Buffs fall to Truett McConnell in game-opening series

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (April 22, 2022) — The Milligan University baseball team was defeated by Appalachian Athletic Conference opponent (AAC) Truett McConnell University by a score of 11-1 in Friday afternoon's matchup.

Milligan falls to 32-16 (17-8 AAC) while Truett McConnell climbs to 24-17 (15-10 AAC).

The Bears pounced first with three runs on two hits and a Milligan error in the top of the first inning. After a leadoff single to center field got the game started, a hit-by-pitch followed by a base hit ground ball through the left side of the infield scored the first run. A throwing error on a sacrifice bunt play led to another run before a fielder's choice put the Bears ahead 3-0 after one.

Truett McConnell scored once again in the top of the third after a hit-by-pitch followed by a wild pitch gave the Bears a baserunner in scoring position with one out. After stealing third base, a single down the left field line plated the runner to give TMU a 4-0 lead after three.

Milligan scored its first run in the home half of the third on a ground out to second base as Brandon Marello crossed the plate to make it a three-run ball game. Marello picked up a one-out base hit to left field before Anthony Guzman was hit by a pitch in the next at-bat. In a failed pickoff attempt to second base, both runners moved up 60 feet to give the Buffs two in scoring position with only one out. Justin Greene then came through with the RBI-groundout to second before a five-three putout ended the inning for the Buffs.

The Buffs threatened again in the fifth as they advanced two runners into scoring position with one out. After Andrew Mathias began the inning with a base on balls, a sacrifice bunt from Ethan Jones moved him to second base before a hit-by-pitch in the next at-bat gave Milligan two runners on. A bunt-single from Guzman loaded the bases with only one out before a four-six-three double play ended the inning.

Back-to-back two-RBI base hits in the top of the sixth broke the game open for the Bears. A double down the left field line followed by a single to center field gave Truett McConnell an 8-1 lead after six.

One run in the seventh and two in the ninth for TMU gave them the 11-1 win in game one of the three game series.

Marello and Guzman powered the Buffs offensively as they added two hits apiece while Marello scored Milligan's only run and collected a stolen base. Greene recorded the only RBI for the Buffs as Milligan had six hits as a team and drew two walks.

Games two and three will be played tomorrow in a doubleheader format starting at 1:00 P.M.