The Stampede

The Milligan softball team (27-13, 13-3) swept Bluefield College on Saturday afternoon during their double-header.

By winning the first game 6-2, the team secured its place as AAC regular season champions for the second year in a row. The Lady Buffs took the second game, 8–1 as well.

“I'm really proud of them,” softball head coach Wes Holly said. “We played four days in a row, but they were still able to pull it together.”

Burns said the Lady Buffs went into the game with confidence, which she certainly exhibited on the mound.

“Put her away, Sidney,” Professor of History and Humanities Tim Dillon said from the stands. “Put her away.”

Burns earned the win in the first game. She pitched the first four innings, allowing no hits and recording eight strikeouts.

“I’ve kind of been playing long enough to know what works for me,” Burns said. “I’m a goofy, loud person but before a game I go into serious mode.”

On the season, Burns has a 0.63 ERA, good for fifth place in the division. She is also ranked first in the division for walks allowed with nine.

When freshman Brooke Ingle was preparing to pitch the final three innings, Burns gave her advice about a player who crowded the plate.

Ingle started off strong, pitched three strikeouts, and allowed two runs on five hits.

Sophomore Ellyn Sapp led the team at the plate, batting 1–3 with an RBI.

The second inning proved interesting when it ended with a pickle between second and third bases.

In the fifth inning, the umpires penalized Bluefield with an out when Milligan infielder freshman Jessica Fix and a Bluefield batter collided on the baseline between second and third base.

The Milligan softball players cheered for their batters from the dugout. They sang “Eye of the Tiger” for senior Mallory Tincher and “The Mail Song” from “Blue’s Clues” for junior Melanie Strickler.

“Give it a ride, two-five,” sang the softball team when Burns was up at bat.

Among their cheers was, “Hit your pits and drive it, baby. Hit your pits and drive it.”

Milligan carried the momentum over to the second game. Junior Ryann Musick pitched four innings and earned the win. She threw six strikeouts and allowed two hits.

Freshman Rachel Ingleby pitched the last three innings of the second game, throwing three strikeouts, and allowing one unearned run on three hits.

Junior Jessica Russell led the Lady Buffs at the plate, batting 2–3 with four RBIs.

Burns did not play in the second game, but instead coached first base.

“The other coach was talking about potato chips in the dugout,” Burns said. She added that the umpire even said he did not think the other team was in the game.

“We are looking forward to the postseason,” Holly said. Postseason begins with the AAC Tournament on April 28 in Kingsport.

Article Tools