Kingsport, Tenn. (April 24, 2013) --- The Milligan College softball team ran out to a 6-0 lead and never looked back as they defeated top-seeded Reinhardt University 6-2 in the winner's bracket of the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament on Wednesday evening at a soggy Domtar Park in Kingsport, Tenn.
 
   The Buffaloes advance to play the winner of the Tennessee Wesleyan and Virginia Intermont in the winner's bracket at 3 p.m., on Thursday. It was the first loss for Reinhardt, who is currently ranked eighth in the NAIA Softball Coaches Poll, since 2010 in the AAC tournament.
 
   “That was just a great win for us,” Head Coach Wes Holly said. “It was a big team effort and everyone contributed. Our hitters took control early and never refused to back down. I'm very proud of them.”
 
   After rain pushed back the start time, the Buffaloes jumped out early as Krista Lambdin (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Catherine McGinnis (Knoxville, Tenn.) reached base to open the game. Senior Abby Hughes (Rogersville, Tenn.) hit a double to bring Lambdin and McGinnis across home plate, and Milligan maintained a 2-0 advantage after an inning of play. Camille Olvey (Maryville, Tenn.) scored off an Emily Biggs (Kingsport, Tenn.) double in the second inning to increase the Milligan lead to 3-0.
 
   In the third inning, Milligan saw McGinnis hit a single to score Lambdin and Biggs. The Buffaloes were unable to add another run in the frame as they took a 5-0 lead into the fourth inning. Olvey scored her second run of the day on a Biggs triple in the fifth to extend the Milligan lead to 6-0.
 
   Reinhardt scored a run in the bottom of the fifth inning and added another homerun in the sixth. However, the Buffaloes limited the Lady Eagles' chances to preserve the upset.
 
   Chancli Connatser (Maryville, Tenn.) picked up the win in the pitching circle as she allowed just two earned runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts. McGinnis finished the game 2-for-2 at the plate with two RBIs, while Hughes was 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
 
   Milligan improves to 14-20 on the season.  
  
   The Buffaloes return to action on Thursday, April 25, in the winner's bracket finale between Tennessee Wesleyan and Virginia Intermont. First pitch at Domatar Park is set for 3 p.m.