Kingsport, Tenn. (April 25, 2013) --- The Milligan College softball team erased an early deficit but fell 6-5 to Virginia Intermont in the winner's bracket of the Appalachian Athletic Conference at Domtar Park in Kingsport, Tenn. The Buffaloes will play the winner of Reinhardt University and Union College in an elimination game at 11 a.m., on Friday.
After the Lady Cobras scored two runs in the first inning, Milligan saw
Catherine McGinnis (Knoxville, Tenn.) score off a Cobra error to put a run on the board. However, Virginia Intermont added a run in the third inning to extend their lead to 3-1.
The Buffaloes struck again in the top of the fifth when freshman
Jessie Wheelock (Gray, Tenn.) crossed home plate off an
Emily Biggs (Kingsport, Tenn.) double, but Milligan trailed 3-2 entering the sixth inning.
Krista Lambdin (Knoxville, Tenn.) reached base to open the inning for Milligan. The junior tied the game as she scored on a bunt by
Abby Hughes (Rogersville, Tenn.), and
Lacey Huskins (Elizabethton, Tenn.) crossed home plate off a Lady Cobra error to give the Buffaloes a 4-3 lead.
Jessica Connatser (Maryville, Tenn.) used a sacrifice fly to score Hughes and give Milligan a 5-3 lead entering the bottom of the frame.
However, Virginia Intermont answered with three runs in the home side of the sixth to regain the lead. In the top of the seventh, Milligan saw
Camille Olvey (Maryville, Tenn.) and Lambdin reach base, but the Buffaloes were unable to score a run.
Chancli Connatser (Maryville, Tenn.) received a no decision in just over five innings of work in the pitching circle. The junior allowed three runs, two of which were earned, on 10 hits. Hughes was 1-for-3 with a RBI, while Lambdin was also 1-for-3. Biggs ended the game 1-for-4 with a RBI.
Milligan falls to 14-21 overall.
The Buffaloes return to action in an elimination game at 11 a.m., on Friday, April 26, as they will face the winner of Reinhardt University and Union College matchup. The winner will advance to play Virginia Intermont in the AAC Championship game.
