Milligan College Buffaloes

Milligan College, Tenn. (Apr. 24, 2008) --- The Lady Buffs softball team celebrated two things this afternoon, they thanked their seniors and they clinched the AAC conference title. The Lady Buffs did so by defeating conference foe Covenant College 5-0 in both games.

Game 1 Milligan 5 Covenant 0

Senior outfielder and local star Sarah Smith (Elizabethton, Tenn.) started things off for the Lady Buffs at the plate. She went 1-for-2 with an RBI homerun. Jessica Blevins (Watauga, Tenn.) batted 2-for-2 and recorded an RBI for the Lady Buffs. Leah White (Fall Branch, Tenn.) and Mallory Tincher (Jacksonville, Fla.) batted 1-for-3. Tincher, Laken Stewart (Pennington Gap, Va.) and Ellyn Sapp (Johnson City, Tenn.) all recorded an RBI each for the Lady Buffs. Sydney Burns (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) started on the mound and pitched a complete game. She faced 26 batters, striking out five and allowing only five hits. With that performance, Burns is rewarded the win.

Game 2 Milligan 5 Covenant 0

Needing to win this game to clinch the conference title, the Lady Buffs came out fired up and determined to win. Kayla Walker (Tracy, Calif.) started things off on the mound and pitched the first three innings. She is rewarded with the win as she retired two batters and allowed five hits. Coming in to pitch for relief was Burns. She is credited with the save and retired three batters while on the mound. Several players had key plays at the plate, but it was Blevins who came up big for the Lady Buffs. She went 2-for-4, hitting a homerun and recording two RBIs. Smith also had another strong performance going 2-for-4 with an RBI. White and Tincher both went 2-for-3 for the Lady Buffs. Sapp and senior Heather Poindexter (Germanton, N.C.) went 1-for-3. Sapp also recorded two RBIs on her base hit. Rounding out the batters was Burns who was a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate.

“I am so proud of the girls and the effort they put forth today and throughout the season,” commented Head Coach Wes Holly. “The team showed their true colors today, facing a must win situation in order to win the conference. We are now in control of our own destiny and are looking forward to the conference tournament next week and regional the following week.”

The Lady Buffs will have the remainder of the week off and will return to action next week when the AAC conference tournament gets started.