MILLIGAN, Tenn. – On Friday, Milligan University softball hosted Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) opponent Bryan College Lions for a doubleheader at Anglin Field. The Lady Buffaloes came into the contest with a perfect AAC record, as they looked to continue that streak on the afternoon. They did just that, sweeping the Lions. In the first game, Milligan put up seven runs in the first three innings and held on late for a 7-4 victory, while in the late afternoon game they battled for 10 innings and eventually won in walk-off fashion 6-5.

The Lions struck first in game number one, as the first hitter of the game reached base and a single paired with a walk loaded the bases with two outs. The run scored on a base hit, but the Buffs limited the damage to just one run in the bases-loaded jam when the next batter flied out.

In the second inning, Milligan scored three runs to take a 3-1 lead. Jordan Roulettwheeler started things off with a leadoff double, and Jaylyn Halliburton brought her home in the next at-bat with a double. Then, Alana Parsons singled to score Halliburton. The third double of the inning from Lilly Frazier scored Parsons from first to continue the Buffs' momentum and added the third tally.
Milligan kept the bats going in the third inning, adding four runs to open a 7-1 advantage. With one out, a sequence of a Mia Grasse double, a Roulettwheeler walk and a Halliburton hit-by-pitch quickly loaded the bases. With the bases loaded, Parsons stepped up to the dish and delivered a two-RBI single, forcing a pitching change for Bryan. Mollie Johnson welcomed the new arm with a sharp base hit to load the bases again. That set the stage for Frazier, who laced a ball into right field, scoring both Parsons and Halliburton.

Neither side scored again until the fifth inning, when the Lions had their first two batters reach base and a single up the middle scored a run. It seemed as if Bryan was set for a big inning with bases loaded and nobody out, but a fine defensive play from Parsons at third base on a hot shot hit right at her turned into a double play and shifted the momentum. The Buffs were able to get out of the inning, allowing only one run after Roulettwheeler made a leaping grab at shortstop on a line drive to end the inning.

Bryan pushed across two more runs in the sixth inning by capitalizing on Milligan's defensive struggles. A single followed by a defensive miscue from the Buffaloes on a sacrifice bunt attempt allowed the first run to score. Then, two consecutive errors led to another run for the Lions. However, this concluded the scoring, and the Buffaloes picked up a 7-4 victory in the first game of the afternoon.

The second game required a late-game rally from Milligan to earn the win, after each side played extremely well.

The Lions once again opened the scoring in the first inning, as the first two hitters of the game got on board. Then, a base hit to right field scored the runner from second, and two subsequent hits led to two more runs.

The Buffs got two runs back in the bottom of the inning. Ashley Worley had a leadoff double, followed by a Kaylee Oler bunt single. With runners on first and second, a double steal was put on and the Lion catcher threw to second base while Worley made it all the way home and Oler advanced to third. Then, Hailey Vigil did all she needed to with a ball put in play to score Oler.
Bryan came back with a run in the next inning, as an error led to a baserunner and a single later drove her in. This extended the Lions' lead to 4-2, and the score would remain there for the next three innings.

In the top of the fifth inning, Milligan needed only three pitches to retire three batters, as a statistically improbable three straight line-drive putouts to center fielder Oler ended their half of the inning. Then in the bottom of the inning, Sadie Shoun crushed a double and an Oler base hit later scored her to bring them within one run at 4-3.

The Buffs were still trailing by one, down to their last three outs in the bottom of the seventh, when Worley started the final inning with a walk and a stolen base. Then in a crucial spot, Oler laid down a bunt and the throw to first from the Lions sailed over the first baseman's head and Worley scored on the play. However, Bryan retired the next two batters to force extra innings.

In the first inning of extra softball, neither side threatened and the lone hit recorded came from Bryan.

In the ninth inning, the Lions put a runner in scoring position after a base hit and a fielder's choice but were ultimately unable to capitalize. The Buffs drew a leadoff walk in the ninth, but also were unable to plate a run.

The tenth inning started with a runner placed on second base. Bryan immediately scored that runner when the first pitch of the inning was scorched into left field. However, key defensive plays from Worley and Halliburton kept the Buffs' deficit to only one run.

Trailing by one in the bottom of the tenth, MU moved the runner on second up 60 feet with a ground ball and Parsons delivered the tying run with a double over the center fielder's head. It was then Johnson and Sadie Shoun who each drew walks in the next at-bats to load the bases. With the bases loaded and two outs, Worley was due up. She worked her way to a 3-0 count, but the next two pitches were strikes and the count filled up. With the bases loaded and a full count, Worley came through in the clutch with a well-placed hit in between the left fielder and the second baseman who was ranging back to score Parsons with the winning run.

Parsons continued her offensive dominance for the Buffaloes on Friday, tallying four hits in eight at-bats across the two contests, including two doubles, with four total RBI. Oler was also seeing the ball well, collecting four hits in nine trips and recording three stolen bases while sacrificing twice to move runners. Halliburton posted three hits in six at-bats with an RBI, including a double, and was hit by a pitch and sacrificed twice on the day. Worley recorded two hits in nine at-bats, including a double, along with a stolen base. Frazier went 2-for-7 with three RBI, highlighted by a double in the opener. Johnson tallied one hit in six at-bats and was hit by a pitch. Roulettwheeler posted one hit in seven at-bats, a double. Grasse went 1-for-4 with a double in limited action, while Shoun added two hits including a double in four at-bats in game two. Vigil contributed two hits and an RBI in game two action.

Secrist was exceptional in the circle, earning both wins on the day. In the opener, she tossed a complete game, working seven innings and allowing four runs on eight hits with one walk and one strikeout. She improved to 6-2 on the season with the win. In the late afternoon game, Secrist came on in relief and earned the victory with five innings of work, surrendering just one unearned run on four hits with two walks and one strikeout. She improved to 7-2 with the win. Shoun started game two but took a no-decision, tossing one inning while allowing three runs on four hits with one walk and one strikeout. Presnell provided four solid innings of relief in the second game, allowing one unearned run on six hits with one walk and three strikeouts.
 
Next up, Milligan (11-5, 8-0) will head to Gainseville, Ga. for a pair of matchups with AAC foe Brenau College. The doubleheader will take place on Saturday, March 14. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.