Milligan softball completes season sweep at Carolina

WINSTON-SALEM, NC. (February 23, 2023) – The Milligan University softball team took both matchups against Carolina University Friday afternoon and completed the four game sweep.

The Buffs improve to 4-0 this season while Carolina slides 3-7 overall.

Game 1 – Milligan 13, Carolina 0 (5 innings)

Freshman Sadie Shoun picked up her first collegiate victory as she tossed a five-inning, two-hit shutout. The Buffs supported her 13 run as nine different players totaled 19 hits.

The Buffs scored four runs in the first, seven in the third and two more in the fourth on their way to a five inning run-rule victory. 

Katie Cronin went 3-4 with two runs scored, an RBI and two stolen bases. Grace Jones doubled twice and drove in three runs. Hanna Taylor and Maggie Johnson also had three-hit games. McCoy Hensley had two hits, two runs scored and an RBI. Hadley York went 2-3 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored. 

Game 2 – Milligan 4, Carolina 0

The second matchup of the day started in high fashion for the Buffs as they scored after only their second batter. Cronin tripled and was thrown out at home, but not before driving in Grace Jones to take a 1-0 lead.

Kate Pendleton was given the start and put away six straight batters to start the game.

After reaching first base in the top of the fourth with one out, Johnson stole second and reached third base on a throwing error by the catcher. She was left stranded as the next two batters were put away by a strikeout and fly out to center field, respectively.

Pendleton put away three straight batters in the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings to maintain a Milligan 1-0 lead.

In the top of the sixth the Buffs were able to extend their lead to 4-0. Cronin reached home after a fielding error by third base, Alexis Brown hit an RBI double that drove home  Taylor, and Johnson scored off a sacrifice fly by Bailey Cantrell.

Pendleton's spectacular game continued as she once again put away all three batters in the bottom of the sixth.

The Bruins tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh but fell short as the Buffs walked away victorious 4-0.

Pendleton tossed the entirety of the game and threw 83 pitches, 53 of which were strikes. She struck out four batters, allowed only two hits and moves to 2-0 on the year.

The Buffs travel to Union for a doubleheader next Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. with the second game slated for 3 p.m.