Softball sweeps Bluefield in AAC home opener

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (March 7, 2023) – The Milligan University softball team downed Bluefield twice in the Buffs' home Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) opener at Anglin Field on Tuesday. The Buffs defeated the Rams 3-1 in game one and 14-3 in five innings in game two.

Milligan's record moves to 8-2, 4-2 AAC. Bluefield falls to 3-7, 1-3 AAC.

Game 1 – Milligan 3, Bluefield 1

Bluefield loaded the bases with nobody out in the top of the first inning. Erin Forgety struck out one batter, coaxed a grounder to second and punched out another batter to hold the Rams to a single run.

The Buffs tied the game in the bottom of the second inning. McCoy Hensley doubled down the left field line and scored on a double to right by Maggie Johnson.

The Rams loaded the bases with two outs in the third but did not take the lead as Forgety got the next batter to foul out to first base. The Buffs took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the third after Katie Cronin tripled to open the inning and scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Bailey Cantrell.

Grace Jones scored on a squeeze bunt by Kate Pendleton in the fifth to grew Milligan's lead to 3-1.

Forgety retired the Rams in order in the seventh to collect her fifth win of the season. She allowed just five hits and one earned run

Cronin and Hensley had two hits apiece. Cronin tripled and Cantrall, Henlsey and Johnson each doubled.

Game 2 – Milligan 14, Bluefield 3 (5 innings)

The Buffs jumped all over Bluefield in game two as Milligan scored four runs in the fourth and seven in the second to lead 11-0 after two innings. The Buffs' lead grew to 14-1 after three and held on for the 14-3 run-rule victory after five innings.

Cronin went 3-3 with two doubles with two runs scored and one RBI. Miranda Millington had two hits and drove in three runs. Cantrell drove in a pair and scored twice. Alexis Brown scored three times. Johnson and Jones scored two runs apiece.

Pendleton earned the win in the circle by allowing three runs in five innings of work.

Milligan returns to action Thursday with an AAC doubleheader at Johnson (Tenn.).