WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. – On Wednesday, the Milligan University softball squad traveled to Williamsburg, Ky. for a double header matchup with non-conference opponent No. 13 University of the Cumberlands Patriots. The Buffaloes claimed a 4-3 victory in a tightly contested opener after critical late game execution. However, the bats went quiet for Milligan in game two as Cumberlands captured a 3-2 win in a pitching duel to split the series 1-1.

After a scoreless first inning, the Buffs came through in the top of the second, as Mollie Johnson tripled to deep right-center field to start the frame, and red-hot Alana Parsons singled through the gap to bring Johnson home. The run gave Milligan an early 1-0 lead.  However, in the bottom half of the inning, the University of the Cumberlands responded with two runs to take a one-run advantage at 2-1. The first three batters reached base for the Patriots after two walks and a single. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Milligan was able to mitigate some of the potential damage, escaping by only allowing a sacrifice fly and a fielder's choice RBI.

In the fourth inning, Milligan would regain the momentum and the lead after scoring three runs. Lily Frazier started things off with a one-out single and she advanced to second on a fielding error. Following that Johnson picked up her second hit of the afternoon and advanced to second on a stolen base. With runners in scoring position, another defensive miscue from the Patriots on a Parsons ground ball allowed Frazier to score. Then, Johnson stole home for the second run of the inning. The third run scored when Vitanza put the ball in play and a third Patriot error brought in Parsons from third. With three runs scored, the Buffs still left some runs on the table, as they stranded the bases loaded to end the inning.

Neither side would score again, until the bottom of the sixth inning when the Patriots pushed a run across to bring them within one run at 4-3. The first two runners for CU got on board after a single and an error on the MU defense on a fielder's choice advanced the runner to third base. With runners on the corners, the Buffs were able to get two quick outs, but a two-out single plated the runner from third to make it a one-run ball game. The Patriots would go on to load the bases after a single, but a clutch out number three on a hard-hit line drive to the centerfielder ended the inning and kept the Buffs' lead at 4-3.

With a one run lead going into the seventh and final inning, the Buffs started with a Mia Grasse leadoff base hit, but tough-luck line drive right at the first baseman turned into a double play. With two outs, Frazier and Johnson hit back-to-back singles, but MU could not capitalize with another base hit to add an insurance run.

It was then the Patriots' turn to bat down by one-run with only three outs remaining. The Patriots threatened early in the frame, as two of the first three batters singled and advanced into scoring position on a double steal. However, a fly ball to right field that was too shallow to have a chance to score the runner at third, followed by a pop-out to the second baseman ended the game, giving the Buffs a 4-3 victory in the first game of the afternoon.

University of the Cumberlands struck first in the latter game, as a walk followed by a two-out double gave them an early 1-0 lead after the first. The advantage was extended to 2-0 two innings later, when a bunt single, stolen base and sacrifice moved a runner all the way to third. Then, a base hit drove her in for a run.

After the third inning neither side would score again until the sixth when Milligan tacked on two crucial runs to tie the score in the top of the sixth. Jordan Roulettwheeler began the late game rally with a single up the middle and Frazier followed with the exact same result. Then, reigning Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Player of the Week Parsons continued her scorching hot hitting with a double in the left-center gap to plate both Roulettwheeler and Frazier with the tying runs.

The game entered the final inning knotted at two runs apiece. In Milligan's at bats Ashley Worley worked a walk, but that would be the only base runner for the Buffs. The Patriots just needed one run to earn a split on the series. They did just that after three straight singles led to a run. This tally ended Milligan's late game run and clinched a victory in game two for Cumberlands and tied the two-game series 1-1.

Parsons continued her offensive dominance for the Buffaloes on Wednesday, as she tallied two hits in seven at-bats, including a double, with four total RBI across the two contests. Johnson was also stellar with the stick, collecting four hits in seven trips including a triple and recording two stolen bases. Frazier matched Johnson's output with four hits in seven at-bats and scoring twice on the day. Worley drew three walks despite managing just one hit in five at-bats. Grasse went 2-for-3 with a hit-by-pitch in limited action, while Roulettwheeler posted two hits in six at-bats with a walk. Oler contributed one hit and sacrificed three times to move runners. Vitanza added one hit and drove in a run across five at-bats.

Secrist pitched exceptionally well in the opener, earning the complete-game victory with seven innings of work, allowing just three runs on seven hits with four walks and no strikeouts. She improved to 5-2 on the season with the win. Shoun started game two and took the loss, tossing 6.1 innings while surrendering three runs on eight hits with three walks, one strikeout, and one hit batter. She fell to 0-2 in the win-loss column with the defeat.
 
The Buffs (9-5, 6-0) will now return home to Anglin Field on Friday, March 13 for a chance to keep their perfect conference record. The doubleheader with AAC foe Bryan (Tenn.) will take place on Friday, March 13. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.