Kingsport, Tenn. (May 1, 2012) --- The Milligan College baseball team advanced in the 2012 Appalachian Athletic Conference Baseball tournament with an 11-7 victory over Reinhardt University on Tuesday at Hunter Wright Stadium in Kingsport, Tenn. The Buffaloes advanced to Wednesday's winner bracket game against the winner of the Tennessee Wesleyan and Virginia Intermont matchup.
 
   After the Buffaloes stranded an Eagles runner in the top of the first, Wes Jones (Kingsport, Tenn.) hit a leadoff double to spark the Milligan offense in the early going. Jones advanced to third on a Luke Kirk (Gate City, Va.) ground out, and then scored off a Kyle Kolat (South Bend, Ind.) double. Cory Hilton (Johnson City, Tenn.) and Kolat scored when Joe Purus (Hudson, N.C.) doubled to right field. The Buffaloes capped the inning when Tyree Jefferies (Jackson, Tenn.) and Purus crossed the plate as Milligan took a 5-0 lead into the second.
 
   Reinhardt closed the gap as they scored a run in the second and three runs in the third. The Buffaloes responded in the bottom of the fourth as Jones scored on a Purus single, and then Kirk and Kolat crossed home plate off of a Jefferies single to put Milligan up 8-4.
 
   However, Reinhardt closed the gap again with a single run in the sixth and two more in the seventh. Milligan extended their advantage in the bottom of the eighth as Kirk, Hilton and Purus all scored in the frame. The Buffaloes secured the win as they retired the Eagles in order in the ninth.
 
    Purus led the way the plate with a 4-for-5 performance with four RBIs, while Jefferies recorded a 3-for-4 performance with five RBIs. Jones and Kirk both added two hits apiece. Freshman Nathan Millsap (Kingsport, Tenn.) and Kolat added a RBI apiece.
 
   On the mound, Ethan Fleenor (Johnson City, Tenn.) picked up the win. Fleenor allowed two earned runs on eight hits in just over five innings of work. Jake Howell (Johnson City, Tenn.) picked up his 13^th save of the season.
 
   The win improves Milligan to 26-25 overall.
 
  The Buffaloes return to action on Wednesday, May 2, in the winner's bracket against the winner of Tuesday's Tennessee Wesleyan and Virginia Intermont. First pitch at Hunter Wright Stadium is slated for 7:30 p.m.