WALESKA, Ga. – The (RV) Milligan University baseball squad closed out a three-game series with a doubleheader on the road in Waleska, Ga. Saturday afternoon against the Reinhardt University Eagles. After failing to score a run in a loss last night, the Buffaloe bats unfurled a total of 30 runs across the final two games, to clinch the series. In game one, an offensive explosion led to an 18-4 victory, and in the latter tilt 10 runs in the first three innings resulting in a 12-5 win for Milligan.

Game one saw a Milligan offense that was hot from the opening pitch, as the Buffs produced four runs in the first frame. Braxton Baird led off the game with a single up the middle and Gaven Jones sent a 3-0 fastball over the fence in the next at bat to score the first two hitters of the game. Then, with one out Brody Melton delivered a single, Nick Iezzi doubled to put runners in scoring position and Landon Lutterman had a base knock to score both Melton and Iezzi, extending the MU lead to 4-0 after the first half inning.

Reinhardt would get a run back in the bottom of the first on a solo home run to cut the deficit to three.

In the third inning, the Buffs added three runs to build a six-run advantage. Melton started the rally with his second single of the game and Wyatt Heidle doubled to left to score him. With two outs, red-hot Lutterman stepped to the dish and hammered a ball over the right field wall to drive in two runs, growing the Buff advantage to 7-1.

Milligan's third round-tripper came in the next inning, as Baird barreled a ball that traveled over the fence with Nick Moss on base to give MU a 9-1 lead.

The homers did not stop there. In the next inning Devin Gutierrez joined the long ball party with a solo shot to left making the score 10-1.

The Eagles scored two runs in the bottom half of the inning, after a double with two runners on board, bringing them within seven runs at 10-3.

In the sixth inning, Baird delivered his second big fly of the day with a solo shot. The home run gave Milligan a commanding 11-3 lead with one inning to play.

The top half of the final inning of game one saw the Buffs add seven runs of insurance, putting the game seemingly out of reach for the Eagles. The first run came across following a Heidle single and stolen base and an advancement to third on the throw paired with a Lutterman fielder's choice RBI. Lutterman was later plated on a defensive miscue by Reinhardt. Nick Moss reached on an error, and then Baird launched his third home run of the game, a two-run shot that also scored Moss. Following the bases clearing homer, Jones reached on an infield single, and Cade Kalehuawehe followed with a double to score Jones. Then, Keith Scoggins singled to score Kalehuawehe. Finally, a bases loaded walk from Bryce Burkey drove in a run for the seventh run.

Reinhardt added a run in the bottom of the seventh, but Milligan captured the victory in game one by a final score of 18-4.

Game two started with a run produced by Milligan's offense, as walks by Jones and Melton were followed by an Iezzi single to right field, scoring Jones.

In the second inning the Buffs opened a six-run lead by scoring five runs. Baird put the ball in play on a groundout with the bases loaded to score the first run. Then, Jones brought in three runs with a homer to right-center. The final run of the inning was plated when Kalehuawehe doubled and Melton followed with another double to score him. After this inning, Milligan held a 6-0 advantage.

In the next inning, MU took a double-digit lead after adding four runs. Josh Lail provided an RBI double to score the first run. Cole Hartley followed with a single in the next at bat to score Lail. Then, Kalehuawehe singled with runners on second and third to drive in runs and give Milligan a 10-0 lead.

Milligan added two runs in the fifth inning to take a 12-0 lead. Lutterman singled to score Melton for the first run, and Gutierrez smacked a double to score Iezzi for the second run.
The Eagles got on the board with five runs in the bottom of the sixth. However, it proved to be too little too late for Reinhardt, as Milligan held them scoreless in the seventh to capture the victory 12-5 and the series 2-1.

A grand total of 29 hits were tallied by the Buffaloes' offense across 14 offensive innings, as Baird (4-for-9, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 4 R) and Kalehuawehe (4-for-9, 2 2B, 3 RBI, R) led the team with four hits apiece. Jones had three hits in nine at-bats and drove in five runs while scoring four himself, including two home runs. Lutterman totaled three hits in seven at-bats and drove in a team-best six runs for the afternoon. Gutierrez, Melton and Iezzi each had three hits on the day. Lail had one hit in three at-bats, while Hartley had two hits in three at-bats. Heidle, Moss and Scoggins all had one hit on the day.

McLaury started game one on the hill for the Buffaloes, tossing six innings of three-run ball with three strikeouts. He gave up six hits in his stead and earned the win to move to 4-2 for the season. Denton pitched in relief, allowing one run on one hit with a walk across one frame.

Geren had a dominant performance as the starter in game two, as the sophomore allowed zero runs on two hits. He struck out nine Reinhardt batters during his five innings of work. Webb pitched 0.0 innings and allowed three earned runs on three walks with two balks. Schnell (1 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 H, BB, K, 2 HBP) and Wessel (1 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 K) closed out the tilt.

Next up for Milligan (21-6, 11-4 AAC) will be a home mid-week matchup with Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Spartanburg Methodist on Tuesday, March 17. First pitch will be at 3 p.m. at Anglin Field.