MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (March 10, 2016) â€" It was a five-run fifth inning in game one and a six-run second inning in the latter matchup, both after trailing and both capped by long home runs by senior Natalie Sheffey, that led the Milligan College softball team to 5-3 and 7-1 victories over NCAA Division II North Greenville University Thursday afternoon at Anglin Softball Field.

The wins not only served as a nonconference break between Appalachian Athletic Conference doubleheaders for Milligan, but also helped raise the Buffs' record to 11-7 overall. The Buffs also won the seventh of their last nine games on the season, and snapped a six-game skid, including two shutouts and a three-hitter, to the Crusaders (12-9).

In addition to hitting her team-leading third and fourth home runs of her senior campaign, the most during any single season of her career, Sheffey finished a combined 4-for-7 with six runs batted in while hitting leadoff in both games. Sheffey now leads the team with 15 RBI's on the year, and was also the only Buff with multiple hits in either game, something she accomplished in both.

Jessica Wheelock finished a combined 2-for-4 while reaching base in all four opportunities in game one thanks to two walks, a hit and a hit by pitch. Ashley Arnold connected on a double in both games.

Trailing 3-0 in game one in the bottom of the fifth, a leadoff walk by Wheelock followed by a hit by pitch by Kimberly Robinson and then a 15-pitch at-bat that ended with a walk by Jenna Gilbert, loaded the bases and chased North Greenville's starter, Anna Rogers. Anna O'Donald then entered to pitch and immediately allowed Wheelock to score on a passed ball. Two runs later, Sheffey greeted O'Donald with a two-run shot to deep right to break the tie.

Cayley Shoemaker (3-1) earned the game-one win after she came on in the third inning in relief of Milligan starter Jessica Goodson. Shoemaker allowed no baserunners through 2.2 inning and no hits through her first three innings of work, finishing with only one hit and one walk in four innings.

Kassi Butcher notched her team-best third save of the season by finishing off the final three Crusaders in order.

Milligan again trailed in game two, but this time struck back earlier and in a big way as in the bottom of the second and down only a run, the Buffs put the game out of reach. A one-out double by Arnold followed by three consecutive walks to tie the game at 1-1 brought Emily Murphy into the circle. Murphy gave up an RBI single to Caroline Testerman, allowed Rachel Coffey to score on a wild pitch, and then on the very next pitch, saw Sheffey send her second long ball over the fence in right field.

Robinson (2-1) entered to pitch in the fourth inning of game two and got the win with one of her best pitching performances of the season. Robinson finished off the Crusaders by only allowing two hits over the final 3.1 innings.

Next up, Milligan hosts Point University and Reinhardt University in AAC action on Saturday, March 12, and Wednesday, March 16, respectively. First pitch for each doubleheader is set for 1 p.m.