Softball splits conference doubleheader at Montreat

MARION, N.C. (March 27, 2024) - A Jaylyn Halliburton home run helped Milligan University softball an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) doubleheader split against host Montreat College on Wednesday.

The Cavaliers used a big rally to power them to an 11-7 win in the opener, but Halliburton broke the deadlock in the top of the seventh as Milligan won the finale 8-6 to earn the split.

The Buffaloes are now 10-13 overall and 8-8 in AAC play.

Milligan returns to action Thursday when it hosts Bluefield University in conference action. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.

Game 1 - Montreat 11, Milligan 7

Milligan grabbed the early advantage as Alexis Brown singled in Laney Loyd for a 1-0 in the top of the first. However, Montreat exploded for eight runs in the second for an 8-1 advantage.

The Buffs countered with a pair of three-run rallies, cutting the margin to 9-7 in the top of the fifth. Yet, the Cavaliers scored twice in the bottom of the fifth to seal the win.

Alana Parson drove in three runs for Milligan, while Maggie Johnson went 3-for-4 with three runs scored.

Game 2 - Milligan 8, Montreat 6

Late-inning heroics were needed to get the win after Milligan appeared to have the game in control.

Down 3-1, Milligan pushed five runs across in the third. Katelin Secrist has the big hit of the inning, a two-run single. Morgan Lawson and Alexis Brown also drove in a run during the rally.

Montreat slowly tied the game, scoring two in the fourth and getting the equalizer in the sixth. However, Halliburton belted a two-run home run in the top of the seventh to put the Buffs up 8-6.

The Cavaliers threatened in the bottom of the innings, putting two runners on with two outs. However, Secrist got Alanna Hernandez to hit into a fielder's choice to end the game.

Brown, Halliburton, and Secrist each finished with two RBI.