Softball splits with Union in AAC doubleheader

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (March 17, 2022) – The No. 20 Milligan University softball team split a doubleheader with Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) foe Union on Thursday evening at Anglin Field. The Buffs won 8-0 in six innings in game one and fell 4-3 in game two.

Milligan moves to 14-5 and 9-3 in AAC play. Union moves to 6-12, 4-4 AAC.

Game 1 – Milligan 8, Union 0 (6 innings)

The Buffs bounced back from their three-game skid with a run-rule victory over the Bulldogs.

Starting pitcher Erin Forgety retired the first seven batters she face and carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning. Despite the pitching prowess, Milligan only led 1-0 going into the fifth as McCoy Hensley scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Kate Pendleton.

The Bulldogs notched their first base hit in the top of the fifth. The runner moved to second with a stolen base with two outs but was stranded on second as a fly out to left ended the inning.

The Buffs struck for four runs in the bottom of the fifth. Grace Jones scored from first base on a double down the third base line by Hensley. After a walk by Stephanie Steele, Pendleton swatted a three-run homer to give the Buffs a 5-0 lead.

Union's best chance to score came in the six as a walk and bunt single put a pair of runners on with nobody out. A force out at second put runners on first and third with one away, but Forgety thwarted a squeeze attempt by throwing out the runner at third at the plate. A fly out ended the inning.

The Buffs added three more runs in the sixth to end the game with a run rule victory. Hanna Taylor smacked a two-run double to score April Alvarado and Katie Cronin. Pinch runner scored the game-ending run on a fly ball to center field by Hensley.

Pendleton drove in a season high four runs and blasted her first home run of the season. Hensley and Jones each had two hits apiece and a double.

Forgety logged another shutout win. She allowed just two hits and no runs in six innings of work with five strikeouts and one walk.

Game 2 – Union 4, Milligan 3

Union jumped out to an early 2-0 lead thanks to an error, base hit, sacrifice fly and RBI single in the top of the first inning.

Milligan's game two starter, Cloee-Anna Merritt settled in and did not allow a Bulldog baserunner for the next five innings.

Cronin led off the fourth with her first home run of the season, over the right field fence, to cut the Buffs' deficit to 2-1.

In the bottom of the fifth, a walk and an error put runners on first and second with one out. Neelee Griffith ripped a double to left field to score both runners and give the Buffs a 3-2 edge.

In the sixth, Milligan put runners on first and second with singles by Taylor and Jones, but the Bulldogs recorded three straight outs to end the inning.

In the seventh, Union notched its first hit since the first inning to open the inning. After a strikeout, the Bulldogs smacked another base hit into center field, prompting a pitching change for the Buffs.

The Bulldogs took a 4-3 lead with a two-run double to center field. Obstruction on the Milligan catcher allowed the batter to get all the way to third with one out. Kendyl McCollister coaxed the next two Union batters to pop out to end the inning.

Alvarado piked a two out side through the left side and stole second base in the bottom of the seventh, but Cronin flew out to center to end the game.

Giffith went 3-4 with two doubles and two RBI.