WALESKA, Ga.- Milligan University's softball program played their final Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) doubleheader of the regular season Wednesday afternoon in Waleska, Ga. against Reinhardt University. Coming into the contests, Reinhardt held the top spot in the AAC standings with a 76.2% win percentage in conference games, while Milligan sat in sixth at 56.0%. The Lady Buffs were looking to climb the rankings; however, the offensive struggles continued, as they did not manage a run in either game, dropping the twinbill 5-0 and 3-0.

In game one, Milligan struggled to get the bats going against the reigning AAC Pitcher of the Year on the mound for Reinhardt. It immediately became an uphill battle for the Buffs, as the Eagles scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the first. The run came after a leadoff single and a Milligan error on a play in the infield put runners on second and third. A base knock to left field then brought in the runner from third.

The Buffs were held to just two hits in the contest, and both came in the second inning, as Jaylyn Halliburton and Katelin Secrist put together back-to-back hits to start the frame. Three straight balls were put in play, but all ended in outs and Milligan was unable to do any damage.

Despite the offensive struggles, Secrist kept the score close in the circle, limiting the Eagles to just one run through five innings. However, in the bottom of the sixth the Eagles broke the game open with four runs to extend the lead to five. The breakthrough came on an RBI double followed by a three-run home run.

Facing a five-run deficit, the Buffs were retired in order in the seventh to drop the opener 5-0.

Game two was more of the same for Milligan offensively, though Bree Presnell kept the Buffs in the game with a strong performance on the mound. In the third inning, Reinhardt broke the scoreless tie with two singles and an RBI double to take a 1-0 lead.

The score remained there until the Eagles belted a solo home run in the fourth to extend the lead to two, and another solo shot the following inning made it a 3-0 ballgame, which would eventually be the final score.

Milligan's first hit of the game came in the sixth inning when Secrist laced a single to left. Later in the inning, Bailey Vitanza stepped in as a pinch hitter and came through with a single. However, Milligan was unable to capitalize.

In the seventh, the Buffs were set down in order to drop the second game 3-0 and the series 2-0.

Milligan combined for four hits across the doubleheader, tallying two in each game. Halliburton (1-for-3) and Secrist (1-for-2) accounted for the hits in game one, while Secrist (1-for-1) and Vitanza (1-for-1) provided the only offensive contributions in game two.

The performances of Secrist and Presnell on the mound were the lone bright spots of the afternoon. In game one, Secrist worked 5.0 innings, allowing five runs on seven hits with one walk before Sadie Shoun came in to get three outs in the sixth. In game two, Presnell was outstanding in the circle, going the distance for 6.0 innings and limiting the AAC's top team to three runs on eight hits while striking out two across 85 pitches.

Milligan (19-19, 14-12 AAC) will look to right the ship when they return home to Anglin Field on Saturday, April 18 for a non-conference doubleheader against Carolina (N.C.) University. The matchups will serve as Senior Day, as the Buffs will honor their senior team members. First pitch for game one is set for 2 p.m.