Baseball improves with 17-5 win over Pikeville

PIKEVILLE, Ky. (April 5, 2023) – Milligan University baseball walked away victorious over Pikeville on Wednesday afternoon, 17-5. The game was filled with three scoreless innings before having at least one run scored in the final six.

Milligan improves its record to 21-14 on the year while Pikeville slides to 16-17.

It was a slow start for both teams on the offensive side of the ball. Milligan was able to put a runner in scoring position in the first and third inning as the pinch runner, Kobe Miles, was able to reach second from a wild pitch and a stolen base, respectively. Pikeville was unable to reach base through the first three innings.

The Buffs started the fourth inning with back-to-back singles after having their first batter strike out. Braden Spano then hit an RBI double, followed up by a Jack Sutton RBI single to make it 2-0. Brandon Marello extended the lead to 3-0 after reaching base on a fielders choice that saw Spano reach home.

After Logan Hullette had reached third base in the top of the fifth, Caleb Berry hit a single to right field to increase the lead. Casey Haire made it 6-0 with a 2-RBI single to right, driving home runners from second and third. The Bears recorded their first hit in the fifth, however, the runner was left stranded after a strikeout retired the side.

In the bottom of the sixth, Pileville earned their first run with a home run to right field to see the lead decreased to 6-1.

After Hullette opened the seventh inning with a single, Ángel Lobo utilized an RBI double to left field. This was followed up by an RBI sacrifice fly from Anthony Guzman to take an 8-1 advantage.Pikeville responded in their half with an RBI double to left center to see the score move to 8-2.

The Buffs once again improved upon their lead with a pair of outs in the top half of the eighth. Sutton was able to reach home, scoring an unearned run to take out to 9-2, As Matthias was caught in a run down that took four infielders to pull off.

Pikeville was able to respond the bottom half of the eight as they put up to runs quickly. The runs came by way of a RBI single to center field and a bases loaded walk, respectively. After the Buffs brought on Josh Topper to pitch, another bases loaded walk gave the Bears another run and decrease their deficit to 9-5.

Milligan was able to put up eight runs in the top half of the ninth to improve its lead to 17-5 and secure the victory.

Joe Ducharme was the starter for the Buffs. He tossed 7.0 innings, threw 90 pitches and gave up four runs. He was credited with the win and improves to 4-3 this season.

Milligan out hit Pikeville 18-6 and walked away with no errors compared to one. Hullette finished 5-5 with two runs scored and two RBI. Haire had three hits. Guzman had two hits, three runs and two RBI. Sutton had two hits, two runs and four RBI.

Milligan returns to Anglin Field on Thursday as the Buffs square off with Johnson (Tenn.). First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.