Softball downs Point 14-4 in AAC Tournament

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (April 27, 2023) – The Milligan University softball team took down fifth-seeded Point 14-4 in an elimination bracket game at the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament on Thursday afternoon.

Milligan continues its season with a 21-13 record while Point ends its year at 27-23.

After Point to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning the Buffs struck back with a pair in the top of the second. Kate Pendleton singled, was bunted to second base and then went to third on a base hit by Bailey Cantrell. Cantrell stole second base with one out to put runners on second and third. Pendleton scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of McCoy Hensley to tie the game at one. The Buffs took a 2-1 lead on a Point error on a batted ball hit by Allee Griffith.

The Buffs added on to their lead in the top of the third. After an out to start the inning, Milligan notched five consecutive hits. Pendleton highlighted the rally with a two-run double and Hanna Taylor had an RBI single to bring the Buffs' lead to 5-1. An error by Point allowed another run to come home as the Buffs used a four-run inning to lead 6-1.

Point led off the bottom of the fourth with a double and moved the runner to third on a flyout. The next batter bounced back to Erin Forgety, who checked the runner on third and got the out at first before retiring the next batter via flyout to end the frame without allowing a run.

Point brought the deficit to 6-2 with a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth. The Skyhawks also doubled in the inning but a pair of catches by Maggie Johnson in center field ended the frame.

The Buffs poured on eight more runs in the seventh inning. Grace Jones had a two run single and Pendleton drove in three runs with a bases-loaded double. Hensley and Taylor added RBI singles as Milligan led 14-2 at the end of the rally.

Point scratched across two runs in the bottom of the seventh as the Buffs held on for the 14-4 victory.

The Buffs scored 14 runs on 19 hits and took advantage of four Point errors.

Pendleton went 4-5 with five RBI, four runs scored and two doubles. Taylor was 4-4 with a double, two runs batted in and a run scored. Cantrell and Cronin each had three hits apiece. Jones and Hensley both drove in a pair of runs. Johnson and Cronin each scored twice.

Forgety earned the complete game win, allowing four earned runs on nine hits. She struck out four and walked none in the victory.

The Buffs advance in the elimination bracket to Friday. Milligan will face the loser of Brenau and Truett McConnell.