Union Softball Splits Doubleheader at Milligan

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – The Union Commonwealth University softball team (10-26, 5-13 AAC) split its conference doubleheader against Milligan (17-15, 12-8 AAC) Friday evening at Anglin Softball Field, falling 7-6 in Game One before rebounding for an 8-2 win in Game Two.

How It Happened

Game 1: Milligan 7, Union Commonwealth 6

Milligan struck first in the opening inning, executing a first-and-third double steal to take a 1-0 lead.

Union answered in the second inning when Elizabeth Smith launched a home run to even the score at 1-1. Milligan responded later in the inning with an RBI single to regain a 2-1 advantage.

In the third inning, the Buffaloes extended their lead with an RBI groundout and an RBI single to make it 4-1.

The Bulldogs began to chip away in the sixth inning as Skylar Smith hit a solo home run to cut the deficit to 4-2.

Union rallied in the seventh inning when Lily Allen singled to drive in Kenley Vanbibber and Savanna Higgins, tying the game at 4-4. Allen later scored on a wild pitch to give the Bulldogs a 5-4 lead. A few batters later, Lizzie Smith added an RBI single up the middle to score Skylar Smith and extend the lead to 6-4.

Milligan answered in the bottom of the seventh. Trailing 6-5, the Buffaloes hit a walk-off two-run home run to steal a 7-6 victory.

Pitching
W: Sadie Shoun (1-2): 0.1IP, H
L: Carly Cain (1-1): 6IP, 6H, 7R, 6ER, SO

Notable Performances

• Elizabeth Smith: 3-for-4, 2RBI, R, HR

• Skylar Smith: 1-for-3, RBI, 2R, HR

• Lily Allen: 1-for-4, 2RBI, R

Game 2: Union Commonwealth 8, Milligan 2

Milligan got on the board first in the opening inning with a two-run double to take a 2-0 lead.

After a scoreless second inning, the Bulldogs responded in the third. Hayden Keirsey singled through the right side to score Tori Turner and Lily Allen, tying the game at 2-2. Lizzie Smith followed with an RBI single to left field to bring in Skylar Smith and give Union a 3-2 lead. Kinsley Redmon added another RBI single, scoring Keirsey to extend the advantage to 4-2.

Union added to its lead in the fourth inning when Savanna Higgins delivered an RBI single to score Kenley Vanbibber, making it 5-2.

In the seventh inning, Lizzie Smith capped the scoring with a three-run home run, pushing the lead to 8-2.

Milligan was unable to respond, as Union secured the Game Two victory.

Pitching
W: Taylor Sain (4-7): 7IP, 3H, 2R, 2ER, SO
L: Abigail Teubert (1-5): 3IP, 7H, 4R, 4ER, 2SO

Notable Performances

• Elizabeth Smith: 3-for-4, 4RBI, R, HR

• Hayden Keirsey: 2-for-3, 2RBI, 2R

• Savanna Higgins: 3-for-4, RBI

Bulldog Notes

• Hayden Keirsey extended her hitting streak to three games.

• Lizzie Smith recorded multiple home runs across the two games, marking the first time this season a Union player has accomplished the feat in a single series.

Up Next

The Bulldogs continue their road trip to Roxy Hines Softball Field in Black Mountain, N.C. to face Montreat, on Saturday, April 4. First pitch is set for 4 p.m., with Game Two scheduled for 6 p.m.