Beaufort, S.C. (Feb. 12, 2012) --- The Milligan College baseball team was unable to hold off a late University of South Carolina at Beaufort rally as the Buffaloes fell 9-7 in a nine-inning contest in Beaufort, S.C.
 
   The Buffaloes opened the scoring as Tyree Jefferies (Jackson, Tenn.) drove in Wesley Jones (Kingsport, Tenn.) in the top of the first. Sophomore Luke Kirk (Gate City, Va.) added another Milligan run in the top of the third when he took advantage of an errant throw.
 
   Cory Hilton (Johnson City, Tenn.) drove in two runs for the Buffaloes before Hilton and Kirk crossed the plate of a Kyle Kolat (South Bend, Ind.) hit as Milligan took a 6-0 lead into the bottom of the fourth. The Land Sharks put a run on in the bottom of the fourth and fifth, but Milligan responded when Kirk crossed the plate again off a wild pitch.
 
   However, the Buffaloes were unable to answer a late offensive charge as USC-Beaufort added two runs in the sixth and five in the seventh to pull ahead.
 
   Kolat led the way at the plate as he was 4-for-5 with three RBIs. Kirk and Jones ended the game 2-for-5.
 
   On the mound, Justin Johnson (Wilkesboro, N.C.) got the start and received a no-decision. In just over four innings of work, Johnson gave up two unearned runs on five hits. Ryan Valentine (Springfield, Ohio) was handed the loss.
 
   The Buffaloes fall to 0-3 on the season.
 
   Milligan returns to action on Tuesday, Feb. 14, when they travel to Trevecca Nazarene for a nonconference game. Game time in Nashville, Tenn., is slated for 3 p.m.