Bristol, Va. (April 20, 2012) --- The Milligan College baseball team split an Appalachian Athletic Conference doubleheader on Friday evening with Virginia Intermont in Bristol, Va. The Buffaloes were unable to hold off a Cobra rally in the first game as they fell 3-2, but it was Milligan's turn to rally as they battled back to take a 11-9 win in the second game.
 
   In the first game, Joe Purus (Hudson, N.C.) got the first run of the game in the fifth inning off a single from Tyree Jeffries (Jackson, Tenn.), but the Cobras tied the game with a run in the bottom of the fifth. Purus hit a triple in the sixth inning to send Luke Kirk (Gate City, Va.) across home plate. However, Virginia Intermont took the lead in the seventh inning with two runs to win the first game.
 
   Milligan's was led in the first game by Purus was 2-for-3, while Kirk was 1-for-2. Jeffries finished 1-for-3. Ethan Fleenor (Johnson City, Tenn.) got the nod on the mound for Milligan as he did not receive a decision. In six innings of work, Fleenor allowed one run on five hits. Jake Howell (Johnson City, Tenn.) was handed the loss in relief work as he allowed two runs on two hits.
 
   In the second game, Jones scored the first run of the game off a single from Kyle Kolat (South Bend, Ind.) in the third inning. Kirk also scored in the third, but Milligan could not hold on to the lead as the Cobras scored three runs in the bottom of the third. VI extended their lead to 8-2 with five runs in the fourth inning.
 
   However, the Buffaloes fought back in the top of the fifth as Jefferies used a double to drive in two runs, and Milligan scored two more in the frame to close the gap. The Buffaloes tied the game in the top of the sixth when Jones and Kirk crossed the plate.
 
   VI regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth as they maintained a 9-8 lead entering into the final inning, but Milligan kept the rally going in the top of the seventh. Nathan Millsap (Kingsport, Tenn.) drove Jefferies across the plate to tie the game, and Taylor Valentine (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Jones scored to put Milligan ahead.
 
   Freshman Jake Watts (Boone, N.C.) got the start as he allowed three runs on four hits in three innings of work. Tyler Walker (Anaheim Hills, Calif.) got the win as he allowed one run on one hit.
 
   Corey Hilton (Johnson City, Tenn.) led the way at the plate as he went 2-for-3. Kirk was 3-for-5, while Millsap was 2-for-4.
 
   With the split, Milligan moves to 11-9 in AAC action and 23-23 overall.
 
   The Buffaloes and Cobras are slated to return to action on Saturday, April 21, for the nine-inning game of the series. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.