(RV) Milligan Baseball Splits on Second Day of Clash of Conferences

MILLIGAN, Tenn. – Milligan University's (RV) baseball team returned to action on day two of the Clash of Conferences event. The Buffaloes found themselves going 1-1 on the day, after dropping the first game against the Madonna University Crusaders 10-7. They were able to bounce back in convincing fashion by defeating the University of Rio Grande 9-1 in the nightcap. 

The first game started well for the Buffs as they jumped out to a 4-1 lead through three innings of play. A Gaven Jones triple in the bottom of the 3rd inning drove in two runs, before a Nick Iezzi ground out would drive home Jones for the 4-1 lead. The Crusaders would manage to score two runs in the top of the fourth to bring the score within one. Angel Lobo would then crush a two shot home run into left field putting the Buffs up 6-3. 

The top of the fifth inning is where the Milligan hit a cold stretch. They were unable to get out of a long inning, as the Crusaders would drive home six runs to take a 9-6 lead. A Bryce Burkey double would cut into the deficit for the Buffs late, but a Madonna tally in the top of the seventh inning and a scoreless final at-bat for the Buffaloes would lead thm to dropping just their second game of the season, by a score of 10-7.  

Lobo and Jones led the way for the Buffs lineup in game one, despite the loss, each having 2 RBI's to their name. Iezzi and Burkey would each add one run-batted-in, as well. Lobo tacked on a homer to his performance at the plate. 

The second game of the day for the Buffaloes was much more enjoyable, as they jumped out to an early 6-0 lead through two innings. Lobo would homer in his first at bat of game, which was his second on the day. A Cade Kalehuawehe single to left-center field would drive in Bryce Safferwich for a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. A mini offensive explosion for the Buffs in the bottom of the second would see another three runs driven in. Lobo recorded his second RBI of the game as his single to right center would bring Burkey home. Jones would continue his strong day at the plate with a triple into right field recording a pair of RBI's, Lobo and Andrew Beavers would score on the play. On a sacrifice fly from Safferwich, Jones was able to come in to score the team's sixth run. 

The Buffs pitching staff was much happier with game two as they only allowed one run across seven innings that came in the top of the third for Rio Grande. Spencer Rife hurled five innings and earned the win as the starting pitcher. He tallied nine strikeouts and allowed just four hits and one earned tally. T.J. Kuhn and Patrick Collins each tossed one scoreless frame, as well.

The Buffs were able to kill the game off in the bottom of the fourth as a Jones two-run home run to center field would drive in Trey Massengill. The final Buffs run came in the bottom of the fifth inning as Tank Hansen scored on a fielders choice play of Skyler Saunders'. 

Jones led the way for the Buffs with a HR and 4 RBI's in the box. Lobo continued his strong day with another HR and 2 RBI's. Safferwich, Kalehuawehe, and Saunders would each add an RBI of their own. 

After another 3-1 weekend, Milligan (6-2) will look forward to a midweek contest against Alice Lloyd College on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. on Anglin Field.