COLUMBIA, SC - The CIU Softball team faced down the Milligan College Buffalos on Saturday afternoon. After a rough outing at Montreat College on Thursday, the Rams hoped to use some home-field advantage to knock off the Buffs of Milligan. After a sensational two-run walk-off single in the first game and a convincing win in the second game, the Rams picked up their second conference sweep of the 2020 campaign.  

Game 1: CIU 5 MC 4
How It Happened: 

• Freshman pitcher Catie McGovern got the nod to start game one, pitching a complete game, striking out four batters, and giving up only four runs.
• CIU struck first in the 3rd inning, as Tanya Ellis hit an RBI single toward first base, scoring the awaiting Robyn Andrews from 3rd. 
• Despite good defensive play from the Rams, the Buffalos would jump out to a two-run lead in the top of the 5th, scoring three runs, leading CIU 3-1 heading into the bottom of 5th. 
• The Rams bounced back with a score in the 5th, as Madison Janning scored on a misplaced grounder by the Buffalo 2nd baseman. Later in the side, Tanya Ellis scored on yet another Milligan error, drawing even with the Buffalos. 
• Milligan inched out to a one-run lead in the top of the 7th, with a score off a CIU missed catch. 
• The Rams trailed by one run in the 7th. Ashlee Chinn bunted and reached second on a Milligan wild throw. Tanya Ellis singled toward second, moving Ashlee Chinn to third. Tanya Ellis would steal second to give CIU two runners in scoring position. Shannon Patton blasted a single to shallow left field, scoring both speedsters Tanaya Ellis and Ashlee Chinn to walk off with the win for the Rams. 

Box Score Highlights 

• Tanaya Ellis led the Rams in batting and base running, with two runs, two hits, an RBI, and two stolen bases. 
• Madison Janning was solid offensively, picking up two hits and a run. 
• Catie McGovern pitched a complete game, registering four strikeouts. 

Game 2: CIU 5 MC 1
How It Happened: 

• Milligan gained its only lead of the day in the 2nd inning from a fielding error by the Rams, leading CIU 1-0 into the bottom of the 2nd. 
• The CIU bats answered in the 3rd, as Shannon Patton batted in Tanya Ellis off a double to deep center field. Later in the side, Kaitlynn Creel grounded out to third, scoring Shannon Patton in the process. 
• The Rams offense hit their stride in the 4th inning as Kendall Parker & Robyn Andrews would score off of a Tanaya Ellis triple down the right-field line. The speedster Tanaya Ellis stole home later in the side, giving the Rams a commanding 5-1 lead. 
• The CIU defense played well behind sophomore pitcher Alicia Wallick. Giving up only two base hits in the remaining two innings of the game to give CIU its second win of the game over Milligan College.

Box Score Highlights 

• Tanaya Ellis had yet another impressive game, earning four hits, two RBIs, two runs in four at-bats. Ellis was also a terror on the bases, stealing three on the day. 
• Alicia Wallick picked up a win, striking out three batters and only giving up only four hits. 
• Freshman Shannon Patton had a solid second game, picking up one run, one hit, and one RBI. 
• CIU has a four-game home winning streak after sweeping Milligan College. 

What Coach Allen is Saying: 

"I think today is the best softball we've played yet. All the pieces were there: the timely hitting, the solid pitching, the defense, and the resilient fight to win. It's nice to see us play consistent competitive ball at the level we're capable of. Today's wins are a great confidence booster going into a really tough week next week!"

Up Next: 
The Rams take on Truett McConnell University in Cleveland, Georgia next Monday, at 2 & 4 PM.