No. 21 Softball sweeps St. Andrews to remain unbeaten in AAC play
LAURINBERG, N.C. (March 6, 2023) — The No. 21 Milligan University softball team swept Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) opponent St. Andrews University in a doubleheader matchup on Sunday afternoon. The Buffs won game one by a score of 1-0 and game two 4-1.
LAURINBERG, N.C. (March 6, 2023) — The No. 21 Milligan University softball team swept Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) opponent St. Andrews University in a doubleheader matchup on Sunday afternoon. The Buffs won game one by a score of 1-0 and game two 4-1.
Milligan climbs to 11-1 (6-0 AAC) with the victory while St. Andrews falls to 4-12 (0-6).
Game 1: Milligan 1, St. Andrews 0
Pitching was the story of game one as Erin Forgety threw a complete game, two-hit shutout while striking out nine. The only two hits for the Knights came in the bottom of the second as they lead off the inning with a double followed by an infield single. The lead runner was forced out at third base on the next at bat and Forgety proceeded to strike out the next two hitters to end the inning for the Knights.
Katie Cronin, in the top half of the fourth, hit a leadoff triple to set the Buffs up with a great scoring opportunity with no outs. Following a pop out to the infield, Hannah Taylor singled to center field in the next at-bat to score Cronin. This sequence provided the game's lone run as well as the only two hits for Milligan on the day.
Game 2: Milligan 4, St. Andrews 1
The Buffs scored four runs over the first three innings propelling them to a 4-1 victory over St. Andrews. The win represents Milligan's sixth win in AAC play as they complete their third consecutive sweep over conference opponents.
Grace Jones led the game off with a walk followed by a single from Cronin to give Milligan two runners on with no outs. Following a groundout, Jones and Cronin advanced into scoring position as April Alvarado singled in the next at-bat to plate Jones. Neelee Griffith then hit a sacrifice fly into right field to score Cronin as the RBI gave Milligan a 2-0 lead after the top half of the first. The Knights picked up one run in the home half on two hits and two Buffs' errors.
Bailey Cantrell hit a two-out single into left field to give Milligan its first baserunner of the inning. Jones followed that up with a single of her own allowing Cantrell to move up to third base. Jones then stole second base which resulted in Cantrell crossing the plate on the throw down. The Buffs led 3-1 after inning number two.
Stephanie Steele collected the RBI for Milligan in the top half of the third as she scored Alvarado with a ball hit up the middle which resulted in an error for the Knights center fielder. This was Milligan's final run of the game but turned out to be all they would need as Merritt slammed the door with clean innings the rest of the way.
Alvarado lead the offensive attack for the Buffs as she picked up two hits in three trips to the plate while also adding an RBI and run scored. Cronin, Taylor, and Allee Griffith also had two hits as they combined for six in the contest. Jones also had a solid outing at the plate going one-for-three with a walk and run scored. Merritt, the AAC leader in ERA, came away with win number six on the season while only allowing three hits in addition to striking out four.
Milligan returns to action on Tuesday with a doubleheader matchup with AAC opponent Johnson at 2:00 and 4:00 p.m.
