Baseball defeats (RV) Bryan 10-5 to secure AAC series win

DAYTON, Tenn. (March 2, 2024) – The Milligan University baseball team swatted four home runs to secure a 10-5 win and Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) series win over the Lions on Saturday afternoon.

Milligan moves to 15-4 on the season and 5-1 in league play. Bryan falls to 11-8, 4-4 AAC.

Both teams went deep in the first inning as Jose Paula blasted a solo shot while Bryan hit a two-run homer in the opening frame. The Buffs tied the game at two on an RBI double by Jack Sutton.

The Lions took a 3-2 lead on a home run in the bottom of the fourth and Milligan responded with a leadoff home run in the top of the fifth by Gaven Jones.

The Buffs took a 4-3 lead in the top of the sixth as Vasili Kaloudis scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Andrew Mathias.

Milligan broke the game open in the eight inning as the Buffs loaded the bases with a pair of walks and a bunt single by Ryan Molinari. Mathias plated two runs with a double and Caleb Berry crushed a three-run home run to give the Buffs a 9-3 edge.

Braden Spano went deep in the ninth for the Buffs' fourth home run of the day.

The Lions made things interesting in the bottom of the ninth as they pushed two runs across and loaded the bases with two outs but Canyon Geren capped the game with a strikeout.

Paula, Jones, Berry and Spano each went deep in the win. Berry and Mathias both drove in three runs. Kaloudis and Angel Lobo both scored twice.

Milligan starter Ian Weil picked up the win after pitching into the eighth inning. He allowed three earned runs on five hits with seven strikeouts in 7.1 innings.

Milligan travels to No. 8 Cumberlands for a nonconference matchup on Tuesday afternoon.