Harrogate, Tenn. (Feb. 3, 2012) --- The Milligan College softball team came up short in their season opener doubleheader as they dropped two games to NCAA D-II Lincoln Memorial University on Friday afternoon. The Buffaloes fell 3-2 in the first game of the day, and then dropped the second game 4-2.
 
   In the first game, the Buffaloes put two runs on the board in the top of the first as Brittany DiRobbio (Oviedo, Fla.) stole second and third base before rounding home on an errant throw, and then Maleah Wolfenbarger (Knoxville, Tenn.) drove in freshman Sarah Arrowood (Asheville, N.C.). However, the Railsplitters scored a run in the fifth and sixth innings then scored the game runner in the bottom of the seventh.
 
   Camille Olvey (Maryville, Tenn.) was 1-for-2 at the plate. Wolfenbarger finished the game 1-for-3 at the plate, and Sierra Plese (Knoxville, Tenn.) was 1-for-1. In the pitching circle, Chancli Connatser (Maryville, Tenn.) was handed the loss. Connatser gave up just one earned run on five hits and struck out six batters.
 
   In the day's second game, Milligan jumped out to a 2-0 lead when Wolfenbarger drove in Olvey and then Connatser scored on a wild pitch. LMU responded with two runs in the third and fifth innings to take the lead, and the Buffaloes were unable to get back in scoring advantage.
 
   Olvey, Wolfenbarger and Plese were all 1-for-3 at the plate. Freshman Samantha Mahala (Mountain City, Tenn.) was handed the loss in her collegiate debut. In five innings pitched, Mahala allowed four unearned runs on six hits and had three strikeouts.
 
   Milligan returns to action on Sunday, Feb. 12, when they travel to former AAC foe UVA-Wise for a nonconference doubleheader. Game time in Wise, Va., is slated for 1 p.m.