MILLIGAN, Tenn. — The Milligan University baseball team opened Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play on Friday on Anglin Field. They hosted the University of Pikeville (Ky.) Bears for a nine-inning tilt to get their conference slate under way, dominating the contest by a final score of 13-3 in a shortened seven-inning tilt.

Milligan quickly converted on opportunities to score in the bottom of the first, as Braxton Baird walked to lead off the game and then stole second. He advanced to third on a fly out before being driven in on a RBI single by Gaven Jones. After Nick Iezzi reached base on a fielder's choice, he was chased home from first on a run-scoring double by Brody Melton to make it 2-0. Things did not end there, as Landon Lutterman ripped a single into right, scoring Melton to give the Buffs a 3-0 lead.

The bottom of the third inning resulted in even more offense for the Buffs, who had Jones notch a hustle double on a grounder through the middle of the infield to lead things off. Iezzi reached on a dropped fly ball in left field to make it runners on second and third with no one out. A two-run single by Melton would follow, as a RBI bloop single down the left field line by Josh Lail scored Melton. Later in the inning, a fielder's choice by Cole Hartley resulted in another run, making it 7-0.

After another scoreless inning for Pikeville, Milligan added one more run in the bottom of the fourth, as Gaven Jones singled and advanced to second on an error. Following an advancement to third on a fly out, Jones would cross the plate on a RBI groundout by Melton, who drove in his fourth run of the game.

The bottom of the fifth inning was the largest in the game for Milligan, as they scored five more runs, and they all came with two outs. Baird singled, Cade Kalehuawehe reached on an error to score Baird, Jones singled, Iezzi reached on an error to score courtesy runner Brayden Buckles, Melton doubled down the left field line to bring home Jones, Lutterman walked, Lail was hit by a pitch and forced a run across and Devin Gutierrez did the same to conclude the frame with a 13-0 lead.

Milligan would be done scoring at that point, as the only runs that UPIKE managed came in the top of the seventh on a sacrifice fly, a wild pitch and a RBI single to give them three runs. Then, they lined out softly to Baird to end the game prematurely at 13-3 after seven innings.

The 15 total hits across six trips to the plate for the Buffs constituted a season-high. The team was led by the 4-for-4 performance from Jones, who doubled and drove on one run, while scoring three times. Melton was also stellar, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, five RBI and three runs scored. Lutterman (2-for-2, RBI, 2 BB, R) and Baird (2-for-3, BB, 2 R, 2 SB) each had a pair of hits, as well. Lail (1-for-3, 2 RBI), Gutierrez (1-for-2, RBI, BB), Keith Scoggins (1-for-1) and Miller Spence (1-for-1, 2B) all had hits in the win.

Canyon Geren twirled a gem on the bump, pitching five full frames to move to 2-0 on the season with the victory. He allowed only one hit and two walks, while striking out three and inducing weak contact all game. He was relieved by Justin Schnell, who tossed the final two innings and allowed three total runs (one earned) on three hits. He struck out two and walked just one.

Milligan (8-0, 1-0 AAC) remains perfect for the season, extending their best start as a program in the web-based statistical tracking era (since 2004). The squad returns to Anglin Field for a pair of matchups with the Bears, with first pitch set for 12 p.m. for the nine-inning contest, followed by a seven-inning tilt.