GAINESVILLE, Ga. – On Saturday, the Milligan University softball squad traveled to Gainesville, Ga. for a doubleheader with the Brenau University (Ga.) Golden Tigers. After dropping the opener 6-2 to the Golden Tigers, the Buffaloes could not find their footing in the second tilt, falling 9-2 to be swept in the doubleheader.

After a trio of scoreless half-innings, Brenau would grab a tally in the bottom of the second inning, as back-to-back singles started the inning and a two-out double plated a run.

Milligan would grab that run back and add an extra in the top of the third inning, as Mollie Johnson doubled to center field to start the frame. Then, after a walk to Ashley Worley, Kaylee Oler moved both Johnson and Worley into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. The two runs were scored when Mia Grasse doubled to left field to score both Worley and Johnson, making it 2-1.

Brenau would return to the scoreboard in the bottom of the third inning, when an RBI double tied the game at 2-2.

The Golden Tigers broke the tie in the bottom of the fifth inning with two runs. Two doubles to start the inning scored the first run, and the second run scored on an error by Milligan making it a 4-2 ballgame.
Brenau would open a four run lead with two more tallies in the bottom of the sixth. A leadoff single followed by two groundouts put a runner at third base. Then, a single scored a run and a triple scored the runner on first.

Milligan did not score again, and Brenau claimed the opener, 6-2.

The latter game tilted much more in favor of the Golden Tigers. However, it did not necessarily look that way early on, as both sides went scoreless through the first inning.
Brenau scored once in the bottom of the second to take an early 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the third, the Brenau bats exploded for six runs to take a commanding 7-0 lead over Milligan. Four hits resulted in four runs batted in to start the inning. Then, an error by the Buffs defense scored a runner from third base, and the inning was capped by a two-RBI double.

The Buffaloes plated two runs in the top of the fourth, as Jaylyn Halliburton walked with one out and Haley Vigil singled to put runners at the corners. After a flyout, Alana Parsons reached first on an error by the center fielder, allowing Halliburton to score. Then, Johnson singled to right field scoring Vigil to cut the lead down to 7-2.

Brenau scored a run in the bottom of the fifth to extend their lead to 8-2. The run scored when a single was followed by a double.

The Golden Tigers added an insurance run in the sixth, with an RBI single up the middle.

Milligan did not score in their final at bats and Brenau claimed the second tilt, 9-2, to complete the sweep of the Buffaloes.

Katelin Secrist had four hits in six at-bats across the two contests, including a double. Johnson collected three hits in six trips, including a double, with one RBI while scoring a run. Grasse went 1-for-7 on the day with a double and two RBI. Lily Frazier posted two hits in five at-bats. Halliburton recorded two hits in five at-bats while scoring a run and drawing a walk. Worley went 1-for-7 with a walk and a run scored. Haley Vigil had one hit in four at-bats while scoring a run. Oler sacrificed once and went 0-for-7 on the day. Parsons went 0-for-5 with one RBI and a walk.

It was Secrist who took the loss in the opener, tossing a complete game, while allowing six runs on 12 hits with one walk. She fell to 4-3 on the season with the loss. In the late afternoon game, Bree Presnell started and took the loss, throwing 2.2 innings and surrendering five runs (two earned) on six hits with one walk. She fell to 3-2 with the loss. Sadie Shoun came on for 2.1 innings of relief in the second game, allowing four runs (two earned) on seven hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Abigail Teubert closed out the game with one scoreless inning, allowing just one hit with one strikeout.

Next up for Milligan (11-7, 8-2 AAC) is a trip to Winston-Salem, N.C. for a pair of non-conference matchups with Carolina on Thursday, March 19. Game one is set to start at 1 p.m.