Buffaloes Baseball Concludes Sweep with 34-Hit Offensive Explosion in Twin Bill at Bluefield

BLUEFIELD, Va. — On Saturday, Milligan University's baseball team continued their three-games Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) set against the Bluefield University Rams. It was a dominant afternoon for the Buffaloes, who nabbed a pair of triumphs to clinch a much-needed AAC sweep, 18-7 in seven innings and 8-4 in the scheduled seven-inning contest.

The Buffs got the bats going early for the second straight day, scoring three times in the top of the first. Nick Iezzi started the party with a two-RBI double to center, driving in Brody Melton and Braxton Baird. Then, Tank Hansen scored Iezzi with a single to center, making it 3-0.

Milligan added on four more in the top of the second, as a two-run blast by Cade Kalehuawehe drove in Gaven Jones. That was followed by Hansen singling home two more runs, in the form of Melton and Baird.

The 7-0 MU lead would be cut into ever so slightly, as a solo homer by Bluefield made it 7-1 entering the third frame.

For Milligan, Jones would swipe home in the top of the third to make it 8-1.

Bluefield did score their second run on a single, resulting in an 8-2 deficit for the Rams.

The Buffaloes then put forth their most prolific inning of the contest, scoring six times in the top of inning number five. Baird doubled home a pair of runners to get the inning going, scoring both Skyler Saunders and Reagan Smith. Landon Lutterman then whacked a two-run single to drive in Iezzi and Baird. A Jones RBI double drive in Lutterman and a wild pitch allowed Angel Lobo to score, making it 14-2 for Milligan.

The game would then move to 14-3 on an RBI double by the Rams in the bottom of the sixth.

Four more MU tallies would be put on the board in the top of the seventh, as Jones knocked in Ty Yurkovich on a single, Trey Massengill scored Bryce Burkey on a fielder's choice and Saunders and Massengill came across on an error in the outfield, making it 18-3.

The Rams attempted to claw their way back into the contest, scoring four times in the seventh with just one out being recorded, but the game would end at that, as the Buffs took an 18-7 win to clinch the series win.

Contest number two would begin with two runs for the Buffs again, who scored at least once in the first inning of every game of the series. A single to right by Kalehuawehe drove in Baird, and then an RBI single by Burkey brought Kalehuawehe home to set MU up with a 2-0 lead.

Bluefield grabbed one of those runs back in the bottom of the first on a single, making it 2-1.

In the top of the third, Milligan extended their edge to 4-1 on a Burkey two-run single, scoring Melton and Kalehuawehe.

Bluefield would not allow the Buffaloes to sit comfortably, however, as a two-run homer and an RBI fielder's choice tied the score in the bottom of the fourth at 4-4.

The Buffs took advantage of a two-out series of events that included a hit-by-pitch of Jones and then a steal of second before a fielding error by the Rams' shortstop to allow Jones to score via contact made by Smith. At that point, Milligan regained their lead at 5-4.

Milligan would do nothing but improve on that edge, as Iezzi mashed his second two-run double of the afternoon, and Hansen singled home Iezzi to make it 8-4, which is how the game would end.

The entire lineup was on fire on Saturday, as the team combined for 34 hits across just 14 innings. Baird had a team-best seven hits in nine at-bats. Kalehuawehe had six hits across nine AB's, while Melton and Jones added four knocks apiece. Iezzi, Hansen and Burkey had three, with Lutterman adding two in his one game of action.

Spencer Rife earned the win in the opener on Saturday, tossing six innings and allowing five earned runs (seven total) on nine hits. He also had seven strikeouts. Creed Werker came in to shut the door in the seventh, allowing two hits but no runs on his line.

The latter tilt was started by Jacob Bishop, who ended up finishing 3.1 innings. He gave up nine hits and four earned runs, while striking out three and walking one. Austin Maxey finished the final 3.2 innings and earned the win, allowing not a single hit in his stead. He punched out three hitters and walked only one.

It was a crucial sweep for the Buffaloes to obtain, as they had not swept a conference opponent since Feb. 28-Mar. 1 against Bryan at home. With the triumphs, Milligan jumps to 13-8 in the AAC, solidly sitting in fifth place in the standings.