KINGSPORT, Tenn. (April 27, 2021) – The No. 19 Milligan University softball team lost to Brenau 9-3 Tuesday in the winners bracket quarterfinal round of the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament.

Katie Cronin, the AAC player of the year and nation's hitting leader, led the Buffs at the plate with a 2-for-4 effort while Bailey Cantrell came off the bench to go 2-for-3.

Milligan (29-6, 14-4 AAC) and Brenau went scoreless through the first two frames before Brenau opened things up with four runs in the top of the third. Milligan looked to answer right back with threats in the bottom of the third and fourth but came away with only one run to show. Meanwhile, Brenau added to its lead in each of the last three innings.

Milligan left nine runners on base on offense while committing four errors on defense. The latter resulted in Milligan conceding only two earned runs, split between Erin Forgety and Cloee-Anna Merritt, who combined for 4.1 innings. Kendyl McCollister went the last 2.2 innings allowing only three hits and no earned runs.

Up next, Milligan faces Tennessee Wesleyan Wednesday at 11 a.m. in a must-win game to stay in the AAC tournament. The Buffaloes have already automatically qualified for the NAIA Softball National Championship.