The regular season has come down to two games today for the Milligan College softball team. A sweep of a double-header at home against Covenant gives the Lady Buffs the championship in the Appalachian Athletic Conference and an automatic berth in the regional. A split and they'll be in a tiebreaker situation with Virginia-Wise. If they lose two, Wise is the champion.

“There's a lot riding on those games, and we control our own destiny,” Milligan coach Wes Holly said Wednesday. “It's about all you could ask for.”

The odds are with the Lady Buffs. They're 12-2 in the AAC (29-16 overall) and riding a sevengame winning streak, including a pair of wins Tuesday at the Stateline Classic in Bristol. They won a pitcher's duel with Emory & Henry 1-0, then outslugged Virginia Intermont 13-5.
   
Covenant is fourth in the standings at 8-6 and has lost its last three games.
   
“It would be great for this team to be the regular-season champion,” said Holly. “It's a relatively young team, with just four seniors, and they've worked hard all year. There's a lot of talent on the team, and I enjoy working with them.”
   
The AAC tournament begins April 30 at Whitetop Creek Park in Bristol. The regional is the following week in Louisville, Ky. It's already been a whirlwind season for the Lady Buffs, who were in the spotlight earlier this month when they hosted the U.S. national team. They lost 24-0 but have only been beaten once since.
   
“That really helped us from a confidence standpoint,” said Holly. “When you've played the best girls in the world, you're not going to be intimidated by anybody else. When we get to the park now, we expect to perform well and win.”