(RV) Baseball opens AAC series with twinbill sweep

LAURINBURG, N.C. (March 24, 2024) - Milligan University baseball came through in the clutch in collecting a doubleheader sweep as it opened its Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) series at St. Andrews University (N.C.) on Sunday.

The Buffaloes rallied for a 6-5 win in the opener before using a six-run rally to win 7-2 in the finale to complete the sweep.

Milligan improves to 20-9 overall and 10-4 in conference play.

The teams will conclude the series on Monday at 12 p.m.

Game 1 - Milligan 6, St. Andrews 5

The Buffaloes held the early advantage, scoring two in the first and adding another run in the top of the fifth for a 3-0 lead. However, St. Andrews tied the game with three runs in the bottom of the fifth before taking a 5-3 lead in the eighth.

Milligan, though, rallied in the ninth as Jack Sutton roped a two-run double to even the ledger. Three batters later, Angel Lobo came through with a run-scoring double to put the Buffs up 6-5.

St. Andrews went down in order with Austin Maxey striking out two Knights in picking up the save.

Lobo finished 3-for-6 with two RBI and a run scored, while Sutton went 2-for-5 with two RBI. Vasili Kaloudis went 2-for-4 with a run scored and one driven in.

Game 2 - Milligan 7, St. Andrews 2

St. Andrews grabbed the early lead as it scored one in the first. But the Buffs came back with a run in the second before exploding for six in the third in cruising the the 7-2 victory.

During the six-run rally, Cade Kalehuawehe provided the big boost as he launched a grand slam.

Milligan was limited to six hits in the game with Caleb Berry leading the way in going 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI.