Strong pitching leads to Barnett’s 100th career win

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (April 10, 2023) – The Milligan University baseball team downed Johnson (Tenn.) 4-0 and 2-1 in an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) doubleheader at Anglin Field on Monday afternoon. Head coach Skyler Barnett picked up his 100th career victory as the Buffs' manager in the Buffs' opening victory.

Milligan moves to 24-14 on the season and takes sole possession of eighth place in AAC with a 1-11 conference record. Johnson now stands at 4-36, 4-20 AAC.

Game 1 – Milligan 4, Johnson 0

The Buffs posted their second nine-inning shutout of the Barnett era to earn the milestone victory on Monday afternoon. Creed Werker made his first start of the season and retired the first 10 batters he faced.

Milligan jumped out to an early 4-0 lead with two runs in the bottom of the first and Jaden Steagall smacked a two-out, two-run single in the third.

The Royals put runners on second and third with two outs in the fifth before Werker froze the next Johnson batter to end the inning with a strikeout.

After six scoreless innings, Werker was relieved by Austin Maxey. Maxey did not allow a hit in the final three innings and struck out four to earn his second save of the year. Werker allowed three hits and struck out three with no walks to pick up his second win of the season. The shutout marked Milligan's first nine-inning shutout win since March 9, 2020 against King.

Casey Haire had two hits, a run scored and an RBI.

Game 2 – Milligan 2, Johnson 1

Milligan scored a run in the top of the first and Johnson answered with a tally in the top of the second. The Royals had opportunities to take the lead but stranded runners on third base in each of the first three innings.

The Buffs put runners on first and third with nobody out in the bottom of the fourth. Pinch runner Gage Huffman came home to give the Buffs a 2-1 on a double play.

Haire launched a deep fly ball to the fence with a runner on and two outs in the bottom of the fifth but the Johnson right fielder made a leaping catch to rob what could have been a two-run home run.

Milligan starting pitcher Brandon Marello retired 12-straight batters from the third inning through the sixth.

After a leadoff single in the seventh, catcher Logan Hullette picked off the baserunner for the first out of the inning. The Royals managed to put a runner on third with two outs but Chance Hall induced a groundout to third to end the ballgame.

Marello only needed 56 pitches to navigate 6.1 innings of one-run ball to pick up his sixth win of the year. He struck out five and walked none. Hall earned his first save of the season by recording the final two outs.

Milligan travels to Alice Lloyd tomorrow for 3:00 p.m. nonconference matchup