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Milligan University

Game Recap: Baseball |

Milligan Notes: Buffaloes baseball picks up steam (JCP)

The Milligan College baseball team has been trying to dig its way out of the hole after a slow start this season, and coach Nathan Meade sees some daylight.   

The Buffs were 14-15 as they headed into a non-conference game Thursday night at Roanoke College. They had won three of their last four after starting the season 1-5.   

“I feel like we're getting better,” Meade said as he made his way up I-81. “We got off to a rough start, no doubt about it. We struggled in all three phases of the game, but we understand it's a long season and not a sprint. Our approach has gotten better.”   

The Buffs are 2-4 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference, but three of those loses came against Tennessee Wesleyan. The Bulldogs are off to a 9-0 start in the league and ranked 18th in the NAIA poll this week.   

Meade isn't sure anybody has the firepower to run down the Bulldogs over the next month.   

“Wesleyan is really good,” he said. “This is probably the best team they've had in several years. They have a lot of depth, and it's going to be tough to catch those guys.   

“Usually it's us or Union that is battling with them, but they've already taken three from both of us.”   

The Buffs return to conference play this week at Point College in Georgia, outside Atlanta. The Skyhawks are in second place at 5-3.   

“It's a big series for us,” said Meade. “If we can take care of business now, the schedule is going to get more friendly for us toward the end.”   

Outfielder Wes Jones has been making things happen for Milligan.   

The senior from Kingsport is batting .402 and also leads the team in stolen bases (26) and runs (38).   

Luke Kirk is batting .390, while Kyle Kolat is at .366 and leads the team with 33 runs batted in. The Buffs are collectively hitting .301.   

The pitching staff has a lot of young arms and has a 6.30 earned-run average. Jake Watts and Ethan Fleenor are tied for the lead in wins, with three.  

 • The softball team has picked up steam in March.   

The Lady Buffs swept a double-header at home against Bryan on Thursday, giving them nine wins in their last 11 games. They're now 5-1 in the AAC and 18-12 overall.   

Krista Lambdin was hitting .356 to lead the team heading into the day, while Camille Olvey had 21 RBIs and 17 stolen bases.   

In the circle, Chancli Connaster was 11-7 with a 1.41 ERA.   

The Lady Buffs play again Tuesday at Montreat.   

• Britanny Branker is used to being in contention in her first season of college golf.   

The freshman from California posted her fourth runner-up finish at the Lady Bulldog Spring Invitational, hosted by Tennessee Wesleyan, on Tuesday. She finished two shots back of medalist Erica Yarbro, at 164.   

Teammate Kayla Kmetz shot 170 and also made the all-tournament team.   

Milligan finished second to Bethel, six strokes back, in the team competition.   

• A five-kilometer race open to the public will again be part of the Johnson City Invitational, co-hosted by Milligan and Science Hill next weekend.   

The Citizens Bank Citizens 5K, billed as the fastest 5K in the Tri-Cities, will be run on Friday, March 30 at the Sidney Smallwood Track at Science Hill. Anyone can enter at a cost of $15. Starting time is 6:15 p.m.   

“There is a rich road-racing tradition in our region,” said Milligan coach Chris Layne, “and we're excited to offer these folks an opportunity to step on the track with a shot to notch a fast 5K time.”
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