Skyhawks Lose One, Win One Against Milligan

WEST POINT, Ga. – After a tough break in the form of a 3-2 loss in their first game on Wednesday afternoon, the Point University Skyhawks doubled up the Milligan University Buffaloes 8-4 for a twin bill split at West Point Park.

Game One:

Point carried a 1–0 lead into the top of the fifth before Milligan broke through. After being held scoreless and hitless through the first four innings, the visitors finally broke up the shutout when Alana Parsons tripled to center, driving in two runs to flip the score to 2–1. Moments later, Sadie Shoun reached on a fielding error, allowing a third run to come across. The frame accounted for all of Milligan's scoring and turned a one-run Point advantage into a 3–1 deficit.

The Skyhawks answered quickly in the bottom half of the inning. Chelsey Hogsed sparked the rally with a double to right-center, and Anna McMahan continued her big day at the plate by lacing her second RBI double of the game to bring Hogsed home and cut the margin to 3–2. Point threatened again later but stranded runners as Milligan's staff worked out of trouble to preserve the one-run lead.

McMahan drove in both of Point's runs, starting the scoring at the bottom of the third. With Alyssa Letson on base, McMahan doubled to center to give the Skyhawks a 1–0 advantage, providing early support for Alyssa Burrows, who pitched all seven innings while allowing two hits and striking out six. Point outhit Milligan 8–2 on the day and finished with six runners left on base, repeatedly putting pressure on the visitors but unable to deliver a tying hit late.

Game Two:

Point University used a decisive four-run sixth inning and a big showing from McMahan to close out an 8-4 win over Milligan. The Skyhawks built a 4-0 lead behind timely hitting and a strong start from pitcher Kendall Holbrook, then answered a late Milligan rally with an offensive surge that put the game out of reach.

McMahan provided the biggest swing of the day in the fifth inning, driving a two-run home run to left field to extend Point's lead to 4-0. The homer capped a steady offensive buildup after the Skyhawks pushed across single runs in the second and third innings. McMahan finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs and two runs scored, accounting for nearly half of Point's production.

The Skyhawks broke through in the second when Alexa McCoy came around to score on an RBI single from Sarah Hinely for a 1-0 advantage. An inning later, the Skyhawks manufactured another run as McMahan crossed the plate on a groundout by MaKenzie Gilliland, doubling the lead. Through three innings, Point led 2-0 despite just a handful of hits, capitalizing on productive outs and pressure on the Milligan defense.

Holbrook kept Milligan quiet early, working 5.1 innings and allowing four hits and three runs with four strikeouts on 72 pitches. The Buffaloes finally broke through in the top of the sixth, starting with a double and piecing together a string of hits and advances. Kaylee Oler drove in a key run during the three-run frame, trimming Point's lead to 4-3 and forcing the Skyhawks to turn to reliever Taylor Gajdik to halt the momentum.

The Skyhawks immediately responded in the bottom half of the inning. Point gathered hits in bunches and took advantage of wild pitches to rebuild a cushion. Hogsed delivered an RBI single to start the scoring in the frame, and McMahan added to her big day with a sacrifice fly as the Skyhawks pushed four runs across to move in front 8-3. That inning proved to be the difference, giving Point enough separation to withstand Milligan's final push.

Milligan added one last run in the seventh but Gajdik and the Skyhawks fielding alignment sealed the deal. Point ended the game with eight runs on seven hits and just one error, displaying balance between its offense, pitching staff and defense.

The Skyhawks now try to build a streak as they gear up for two road games this Saturday, February 28 at 1:00 and 3:00pm against Wesleyan College.