Williamsburg, Ky. (Feb. 28, 2010) --- The Milligan College softball team swept the Lady Patriots of the University of the Cumberlands Sunday afternoon in a non-conference matchup. The Lady Buffs took the opener 4-3, and battled from behind to take the nightcap 2-1 in extra innings.  

The Lady Buffs struck first posting a run in the first inning, but the Lady Patriots took a 3-1 lead after three complete innings of play. Milligan responded in the top of the fourth bringing two Lady Buffs across the plate to knot the ball game at three runs apiece.  

In the top of the seventh, Abby Hughes (Rogersville, Tenn.) reached base safely representing the go ahead run with just one out in the inning. Jessica Fix (Chesapeake, Va.) flied out to center, but after a stolen base Hughes advanced to second with senior Melanie Strickler (Kingsport, Tenn.) at the plate. Strickler singled to shallow center driving in Hughes, giving the Lady Buffs the advantage.  

Sidney Burns (Tallahassee, Fla.) pitched a complete game in the opener, recording the win in seven innings of work. Burns scattered five hits and yielded three earned runs, but struck out 10 in the appearance. For the year, Burns is 3-1.  

Offensively, Strickler was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs. Hughes was 2-for-4 with two runs scored, while Burns also had a good day at the plate going 1-for-3 with a run scored and two RBIs.  

The second game of the double dip saw four and a half scoreless innings, until the Lady Patriots broke the stalemate driving in a run. Milligan responded quickly tying the ball game at a run apiece in the top of the sixth. A Scoreless seventh would send the game into extra innings.

With two runners in scoring position, Strickler singled to shallow center driving in the winning run for the Lady Buffs. After a solid defensive stand, Milligan went on to win it in eight innings.  

Rachel Ingleby (Knoxville, Tenn.) got the win in game two for the Lady Buffs in two innings of work. Ingleby did not allow any earned runs and only yielded a hit while striking out a batter. For the year, Ingleby is 1-0.  

At the plate, Fix was 1-for-2 with an RBI, whereas Strickler was 2-for-3 with an RBI.  

With the wins, the Lady Buffs improve to 5-3 on the year.  

The Lady Buffs host the Lady Bobcats of St. Thomas (Fla.) University for their home opener Wednesday, March 3, for a non-conference matchup. The doubleheader is slated to begin at 1 p.m.