MILLIGAN, Tenn. — On Sunday, the Milligan University softball team hosted Spartanburg Methodist College on Anglin Field in an Appalachian Athletic Conference doubleheader. Strong pitching from both sides defined the opening game as the Pioneers edged the Buffs 2-0 in a tight contest, but Milligan bounced back in game two behind a gutsy relief performance from Bree Presnell and a more productive day at the plate to capture a 7-6 victory and split the series.

In what was a masterclass from pitchers on both sides to start the first game, neither side was able to kickstart their offense. In the first three innings, both teams were limited to just one hit apiece, as Katelin Secrist battled with the Pioneers' ace in the early stages of the game.

It was Jordan Roulettwheeler who garnered a hint of momentum for the Milligan bats in the fourth inning, lacing a double into the left-center gap for the hardest hit ball of the game to that point. However, Milligan's attempt to manufacture a run in the pitching duel came up short, as two subsequent bunt attempts were snuffed out by the Pioneers.

Spartanburg Methodist broke through with two runs in the fifth inning. A leadoff single followed by a throwing error on a weak groundball to the pitcher put runners on second and third before an out had been recorded. A line drive base hit into the outfield then scored both runners to give the Pioneers a 2-0 lead. Secrist bounced back and got out of the inning without allowing any further damage, and the game moved to the sixth with Spartanburg Methodist in front.

Staring at a two-run deficit with three at-bats remaining, Milligan was retired in order in the sixth, but clung to hope with Kaylee Oler notching a base hit and stolen base in the seventh. However, Oler was left stranded on second, and the Buffs were retired in order to end the game.

Secrist continued her strong performance in the circle, breezing through the SMC lineup in the sixth and seventh. With the Pioneers pitcher dealing, however, the two-run fifth inning proved to be enough as SMC captured game one of the doubleheader by a 2-0 final.

Overall, SMC scored two runs on five hits, while the Buffs managed three hits but failed to produce any runs in game one.

Game two flipped from the first game's script with early traffic on the base paths. The Pioneers took advantage of a free pass with a one-out base hit followed by a wild pitch to put runners in scoring position. A pair of base knocks followed, and the Pioneers drew an early 2-0 lead after the top of the first frame.

Spartanburg Methodist extended the advantage to three runs in the second, aided by a defensive miscue from the Buffs. Two bunts to start the inning resulted in a base hit and an advancement to second, before a flyout and an errant throw to third on the tag allowed a run to come across.

Milligan responded in the second with a blast off the bat of the leading run producer for the Buffs, Alana Parsons. Roulettwheeler began the inning with a leadoff single but was stuck at first after two consecutive pop outs. Parsons came through with the big fly with two outs, bringing Milligan within a run at 3-2.

Spartanburg Methodist responded in the top of the third, however, extending the lead back to three runs. A pair of stolen bases set the table before a two-run double to left center made it 5-2 and put the Buffs in a hole heading into the bottom of the frame.

Milligan essentially had four outs to work with in the bottom of the third, as a Spartanburg Methodist lineup violation allowed for a redo at-bat. The Buffs took full advantage, as Vigil started the rally with a patient walk. Oler followed with a single, and Bates singled up the middle before an errant throw sailed past the center fielder and allowed Oler to score from third. Roulettwheeler kept the momentum going, bringing in pinch runner Lily Frazier from third on a bunt to knot things up at 5-5.

The momentum from the offensive breakthrough carried over to the defense, as the Buffs retired the Pioneers in order in the top of the fourth. Parsons kept things moving in Milligan's favor with a one-out triple, and Mollie Johnson brought her in on a sacrifice bunt to give the Buffs their first lead of the afternoon at 6-5.

It was Oler who ripped the second triple of the game to lead off the bottom of the fifth. SMC turned back to their ace hoping to get out of trouble, but Bates seized the moment with a bunt single, scoring Oler to extend the Buff advantage to 7-5.

Neither side added runs in the sixth, but with their backs against the wall, SMC showed grit by threatening in the top of the seventh. Trailing by two runs in the final frame, the Pioneers put the tying run on base with back-to-back singles before a bloop single brought in a run to make it a 7-6 game and put the go-ahead run on base. Presnell, however, capped off her impressive relief outing with two clutch outs when it mattered most. She got the first on a strikeout, fell behind the next batter 3-0, and battled back into the count before finishing with another punchout. The back-to-back strikeouts ended the game, giving Milligan a 7-6 win in game two and a split of the series.

Milligan combined for 11 hits across the doubleheader, tallying three in game one and eight in game two. Parsons (3-for-3, HR, 3B, 2 RBI, 2 R) was the offensive star of the day, nearly hitting for the cycle in game two with a home run, triple and single. Oler (2-for-3, 3B, 2 R) and Bates (2-for-3, 2 RBI) each had multi-hit days in game two as well, while Roulettwheeler (1-for-2, 2B, RBI) provided the lone extra-base hit in game one. Johnson chipped in a key sacrifice RBI in game two to give Milligan the lead for good.

Secrist (L, 9-6) went the distance in game one, spinning a complete game and allowing just one earned run on five hits while striking out one in a tough-luck loss. In game two, Teubert started and allowed four earned runs on seven hits over 2.1 innings before Presnell (W, 4-1) came on in relief and was dominant, tossing 4.2 innings of one-run ball on four hits while striking out six to earn the victory.

Milligan (15-13, 10-6 AAC) will look to carry the momentum from game two into Wednesday's Appalachian Athletic Conference doubleheader at Columbia International University in Columbia, S.C. First pitch of game one is set for 3 p.m.