MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. - As Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play dwindles down, CIU baseball hit the road to start their series against (RV) Milligan University. The Rams played from behind for most of the contest but came within two runs to keep themselves in a good position. Milligan began to pull away in the fifth and sixth innings and pushed two across in the seventh to hand the Rams the loss in the series opener. CIU is now 15-26 overall and 8-14 in AAC play. 

Game One: Milligan 18 CIU 8: Milligan took a quick lead after scoring four in the first inning, but CIU chipped away at this lead with one run of their own in the second and third innings. The Buffs extended their lead with three runs in the third, and CIU matched this in the fourth after three hits, two walks, and a sac fly from Scott McDonough (7-5). Milligan added five more to take a 12-5 lead after taking advantage of pitching miscues from the Rams. Colton Lopez responded with a solo shot in the sixth to bring CIU within six runs, but the Buffs continued their offensive storm with four runs off four hits to come within run-rule territory (16-6). RBI from Graham Peeler and Austin Paradise in the seventh edged them away from a run-rule, but two walks and an error resulted in the seven-inning win for the Buffs. 

Box Score Highlights: 

• Lopez was perfect at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two walks, two RBI, and a home run. 

• Emmanuel Maldonado also recorded three hits, while Peeler notched two. 

• The Rams tallied five extra-base hits out of the 13 hits.

Up Next: The Rams close out the series against the Buffs tomorrow, April 13, with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. EST.