Posted by - Wed, Apr 5, 2006 - [Softball] - Viewed 465 times
MONTREAT, NC (April 5, 2006) --- Milligan College head softball coach Wes Holly picked up his 500th win Wednesday evening with a 6-2 victory over Montreat (N.C.) College. Holly now holds a career 500-296-1 record, in his 18 seasons, all at the helm of the Lady Buffs. Win 499 came for Holly Saturday, April 1 at Virginia Intermont.
The win helped the Lady Buffs to a split in the Appalachian Athletic Conference doubleheader held at Montreat. The Lady Cavs of Montreat won the first game 4-1. The Lady Buffs now stand at 3-5 in the AAC and 9-15-1 overall while Montreat is now 4-6 in the conference and 5-21 overall.
The Lady Buffs jumped on Montreat in the first inning when Courtney Ruth (Kansas City, Kan.) scored on a 6-3 groundout off the bat of Brooke Dowdy (Bradenton, Fla.)
Milligan added to the score with a two run home run from Leah Fritts (Knoxville, Tenn.) This was Fritts’ first collegiate home run and put Milligan in front 3-0.
After a Montreat run in the third inning, the Lady Buffs padded the lead in the top of the sixth inning. Maegan Gotchall (Mechanicsville, Va.) and Fritts came home to score on a two out double off the bat of sophomore pitcher Jennifer Wise (Clermont, Fla.)
A one out triple from Laken Stewart (Pennington Gap, Va.) to lead off the top of the seventh inning gave Milligan an opportunity to extend the lead. Milligan was able to capitalize and Ruth drove Stewart in with a sacrifice fly.
On the mound for the Lady Buffs, Wise pitched a complete game in the victory. She allowed two runs while scattering four hits.
For Milligan at the plate, Gotchall and Fritts each went 2-for-3. Gotchall scored two runs while Fritts and Wise each drove in two runs. Ruth also delivered two hits; she was 2-for-4 in the game, with one RBI.
In the opening game, Dowdy suffered the loss for Milligan; she pitched two plus innings, and gave up two runs on four hits. Montreat’s Haven Payne pitched a complete game for the victory. She allowed one run on three hits.
Milligan’s lone run came in the seventh inning when Gotchall scored on a fielding error by Montreat’s shortstop, Amber Summerow, on a groundball from Alicia Dick (Johnson City, Tenn.)
Gotchall, Ruth and Megan Aldridge (Johnson City, Tenn.) each had one hit in the first game for Milligan. Casey Plemmons was 3-for-4 with one run scored and one RBI for Montreat.
With 500 career wins, Holly and the Lady Buffs look to add two more wins to their record when Union (Ky.) College (12-24, 2-6 AAC) visits Anglin Field Saturday, April, 8. The first pitch of the AAC doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m.
