Softball uses big innings to sweep CIU

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (March 28, 2023) – The Milligan University softball team used a six-run sixth inning in game one and a nine-run fifth in game two to defeat Columbia international in both games of an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) doubleheader at Anglin Field on Tuesday afternoon.

The Buffs triumphed 10-4 in game one and won game two 14-9. The Buffs move to 14-10 on the season and 10-10 in AAC action. CIU falls to 12-20, 6-12 AAC.

Game 1 – Milligan 10, CIU 4

After the Buffs stranded four baserunners in the first two innings while CIU's first six batters got out, the Rams struck first with three unearned runs in the third inning on a bases-loaded double.

The Buffs answered in the bottom of the inning with Bailey Cantrell knocking an RBI single, Laney Loyd smacking a two-run double and scoring on a groundout off the bat of Hanna Taylor. By the end of the inning, Milligan owned a 4-3 advantage.

The Rams tied the ballgame at four with a two-out single in the top of the sixth. The Buffs answered quickly with Katie Cronin doubling home Grace Jones to take a 5-4 lead.

Kate Pendleton hit an RBI double, Cantrell and Maggie Johnson had RBI singles and Taylor came through with a two-out, two-run single down the left field line. When the dust settled, Milligan had brought home six runs and led 10-4 and held on for the six run victory.

Erin Forgety picked up the win in the circle as she allowed just one earned run on eight hits. She struck out one batter in every inning.

The Buffs had a dozen hits in the game. Johnson was 3-3 with a run scored, RBI and stolen base. Cronin, Cantrell and Taylor each had two hits. Taylor trove in three runs while Cantrell and Loyd each had two RBI.

Game 2 – Milligan 14, CIU 9

Game two featured 32 combined hits and 23 total runs. The Rams led 5-2 going into the home half of the fourth inning. Johnson hit an RBI double and McCoy Hensley lifted a sacrifice fly in the frame to trim the deficit to 5-4.

CIU added a run in the top of the fifth to lead 6-4. The Buffs came back with their biggest inning of the year as Milligan put up nine runs in the bottom of the fifth.

The Buffs took advantage of two CIU errors in the frame. Taylor, Cantrell and Jones each drove in at least one run as Milligan led 13-6 after the inning.

CIU made things interesting with three runs in the sixth to make it 13-9. The Buffs added one run in the bottom of the sixth and held off CIU for the 14-9 win.

Cantrell went 4-4 in game two with a double, three RBI and three runs. Jones had three hits and three runs. Brown went 2-2 with three RBI. Johnson was 2-2 with a walk and tow runs scored. Cronin had two hits and two runs.

Forgety was the winning pitcher in game two as well as she entered the game with the Buffs trailing 5-4 in the fifth.

Milligan hosts Columbia (S.C.) in another AAC doubleheader tomorrow at 2:00 p.m.