MONTREAT, N.C. – On Saturday, the Milligan University softball team had their first Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) contests of their 2026 campaign with a doubleheader at Montreat College. After stealing a triumph in the day's first tilt, 6-3, the Buffs capped off a two-game sweep with a 3-1 victory in the latter tilt.

Montreat had runners get on base early in the first game, as in the bottom of the first a base hit followed by a dropped strike three wild pitch led to two runners to get on board. Then, a double to right field scored both of those runners to give the Cavaliers a 2-0 lead after the first inning.

Milligan got one run back in the top of the second inning, after Jaylin Halliburton and Lily Frazier hit back-to-back singles and a fielder's choice put runners at the corners. With a runner in scoring position, a costly error by the Montreat defense allowed pinch runner Campbell Owen to cross the plate. This cut the Milligan deficit down to one at 2-1 going into the bottom half of the inning.

Both offenses were at a standstill from the bottom half of the second until the bottom of the fifth, as both sides split a combined two hits in that time frame. However, in the bottom of the fifth the Cavaliers led off with a double and a sacrifice bunt moved the runner to third, then a wild pitch to the backstop allowed for the run to score making it 3-1 after the fifth.

The Buffs were able to turn things around late, when a five-run offensive explosion plated five runs in the final inning. It started when Alana Parsons singled and continued with base knocks from Kaylee Oler and Sadie Shoun. Then with the bases loaded, Mollie Johnson singled up the middle driving in two runs to tie the score at 3-3. They did not stop there, as with two outs Jordan Roulettwheeler had a two-RBI single, and a Halliburton double scored her to give the Buffs a three-run lead at 6-3 going into the bottom half of the final inning.

Milligan was able to get three outs with four batters coming to plate in the bottom of the seventh to secure a 6-3 victory in game number one.

The second game started with impressive pitching from both sides and neither side threatened to score until the third inning. However, in the third inning the Cavaliers were able to push a run across with a two-out single to put them ahead 1-0.

Milligan searched for the equalizing run and found it at the start of the fifth inning when Mia Grasse walked and was driven in by a Haley Vigil double. The Buffs would take a second run in the inning when Hannah Bates singled to the outfield to score Vigil from second giving MU a 2-1 lead after four and a half innings.

The Buffaloes added an insurance run in the next inning to support a pitching staff that was holding the Cavaliers offense at bay. The run came after Parsons singled and Bailey Vitanza traded places with her on a fielder's choice and a Grasse double plated Vitanza. That gave Milligan a 3-1 lead going into the bottom half of the final inning of the day.

The Cavaliers were able to record a hit in the seventh inning, but the two-run advantage for the Buffs stood in the end and Milligan secured a 3-1 victory in game two to complete the sweep.

Parsons (4-for-6, R) led the team in total hits across the two games. Halliburton (3-for-7, 1 RBI), Roulettwheeler (2-for-6, 2RBI, R), Johnson (2-for-4 2RBI, R), Vigil (2-for-7, RBI, R) and Bates (2-for-4, RBI) all also had multiple hits on the day.

It was a split effort from the pitching staff in the opener, as Bree Presnell hurled four innings of three-run work. She allowed four hits and struck out two batters in her time in the circle. Katelin Secrist allowed two hits in her three innings, and struck out one batter and earned her first win of the season.

Roulettwheeler dealt all seven innings in game two, allowing eight hits, three walks, a run, while fanning five of the 27 hitters.

Milligan (4-4, 2-0 AAC) will return home on Tuesday, March 3 for a doubleheader with AAC opponent Pikeville. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.