BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.— The Montreat College softball dropped both ends of an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) doubleheader to Milligan University on Saturday afternoon. The Cavaliers fell 6-3 in the opener before coming up short in a tightly-contested 3-1 decision in game two. With the results, Montreat moved to 6-6 (1-3 AAC) overall, while the Buffaloes improved to 4-4 (2-0 AAC) on the season.
Montreat wasted no time setting the tone in the opening contest with an aggressive and productive offensive surge. Aaliyah Penalber ignited the rally with a single to left center before swiping second base. Nadilyn Eason struck out swinging but capitalized on a wild pitch to reach first, allowing Penalber to advance to third. Eason then applied additional pressure on the basepaths by stealing second. Jasmine Rachal delivered the decisive blow of the frame, lining a double to right field to plate both runners and give the Cavaliers an early 2-0 advantage.
In the second inning, Milligan put a run on the board with a pinch runner scoring on an error after advancing to third on a fielder's choice. The score narrowed to 2-1 in favor of the hosts.
The Cavaliers added to their advantage in the middle innings with a timely contribution off the bench. Addison Staton entered as a pinch hitter in the fifth and immediately made an impact, roping a double to center field. She later came around to score on a wild pitch, extending the Cavs' lead to 3-1.
The momentum shifted dramatically during the top of the seventh as the Buffaloes mounted a game-altering rally. A pair of singles and a well-placed bunt set the stage for a 2-RBI base knock to right center, which knotted the game at 3-3. Milligan continued its offensive surge moments later, pushing two more across with another two-run single through the right side. An RBI double added insurance, capping a five-run frame for the visitors and sealing a 6-3 final score.
Mykenzie Flores got the nod for game one, pitching 6 2/3 innings, allowing 10 hits and five earned runs while striking out seven batters. Lauryn Bishop entered in relief, pitching 1/3 of an inning and striking out the only batter she faced.
Penalber displayed her speed on the basepaths with two stolen bags. Rachal delivered a key 2-RBI double, while Eason contributed across the board with a hit, a run scored and a stolen base. Staton provided a spark off the bench, going a perfect 2-for-2 with a pair of doubles and scoring once.
In game two, Montreat broke through in the third inning to claim the early advantage. Jaidyn Stephens came around to score after Isabella Martinez laced a single through the left side and Nevaeh Rivera followed with a base hit to right field. The Cavaliers carried a 1-0 lead into the fourth frame.
Milligan answered in the fifth inning, capitalizing on timely hitting to swing the momentum. A double to right center set the table leveled the score, and a subsequent single drove in the go-ahead run to give the Buffaloes a 2-1 advantage.
The Buffs added an insurance run in the sixth to widen the gap. A double down the right-field line put a runner in scoring position, and an ensuing wild pitch allowed the baserunner to cross home plate.
The Cavaliers could not overcome their deficit in the final frames despite Staton's double to left center and Gabby Burkhart's single up the middle. As a result, game two ended with a 3-1 final score in favor of Milligan.
Stephens went five innings in the circle, surrendering seven hits and two runs while recording one strikeout and issuing two walks. Burkhart provided relief over the final two frames, allowing three hits and one run while tallying a strikeout.
Staton paced the offense with two knocks, highlighted by a double. Rivera added a base hit and drove in a run, while Penalber also recorded a hit. Rachal contributed offensively as well, tallying a hit and drawing a walk while scoring once.
Up next for the Cavs is a matchup against the Bulldogs of Tennessee Wesleyan University on Tuesday, March 3. The AAC twin bill is set for a 4 p.m. start at Roxy Hines Memorial Softball Field in Black Mountain, N.C.
