No. 21 Softball sweeps Johnson (Tenn.) in AAC doubleheader

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (March 8, 2022) – The No. 21 Milligan University softball defeated Johnson (Tenn.) twice in an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) doubleheader at Anglin Field on Tuesday.

Milligan extended its win streak to 11 games as the Buffs rise to 13-1 on the year and 8-0 in AAC action. Johnson falls to 2-8, 0-8 AAC.

Game 1 – Milligan 8, Johnson 0 (5 innings)

A leadoff single and walk put runners on first and second for Johnson in the top of the first, but Milligan starter Erin Forgety coaxed an infield fly and punchout to strand the runners.

A bases-loaded double off the left field wall by Neelee Griffith gave Milligan a 2-0 edge in the bottom of the first. April Alvardo followed with a two-RBI double of her own into the gap in left center to extend the Buffs' edge to 4-0.

Forgety struck out the side in the second. In the home half of the frame, Bailey Cantrell singled home McCoy Hensley to make it a 5-0 ballgame.

The Royals put runners on first and second with one out in the fourth but Forgety recorded back-to-back strikeouts to close the inning.

Katie Cronin tripled in Grace Jones and scored on a wild pitch to bring Milligan's lead to 7-0 in the bottom of the fourth. Allee Griffith singled in pinch runner Hadley York to give the Buffs' an 8-0 advantage.

The Buffs kept Johnson off the scoreboard in the fifth to secure the 8-0 victory after five innings.

Forgety earned her sixth win of the season. She kept the Royals off the scoreboard and logged eight strikeouts compared to one walk and four hits.

All nine batters in Milligan's lineup had a hit in the game. Alvarado had two hits, a double and two RBI. Cronin was 2-3 with a triple, RBI and two runs scored. Griffith had a double, two RBI and a run scored. Taylor had two hits and scored.

Game 2 – Milligan 8, Johnson 0 (5 innings)

The Buffs took control of game two in the second inning as Milligan sprayed six hits all over the field and scored seven runs. Alvarado had an RBI single, Shounta Coffey hit a sacrifice fly, Jones ripped a two-run triple to the left field fence, Cronin brought her home and scored on a double by Cantrell. Taylor's second hit of the inning drove in Cantrell to give Milligan a 7-0 lead.

Allee Griffith brought home the eighth run with a bunt that brought home Alvarado to finish off the game.

Cloee-Anna Merritt earned his seventh win of the season. She allowed just two hits and struck out three in four scoreless innings. Kendyl McCollister worked a clean fifth inning and recorded one strikeout.

Cronin went 3-3 with a double, triple, RBI and run scored. Taylor had two hits, an RBI and run scored. Alvarado had a pair of hits, one RBI and one run. Jones tripled, scored and drove in a pair.

Milligan travels to Brenau on Friday for an afternoon AAC doubleheader.