Milligan University's softball season came to a close Thursday afternoon at the AAC Tournament, falling to No. 2 seed Reinhardt University by a score of 11-8 in Kingsport, Tennessee. It was a hard-fought battle that showcased both the Buffaloes' early firepower and their resilience until the very last out.
Looking to replicate an earlier upset victory, Milligan came out swinging right from the first inning. Haley Vigil crossed the plate on a bunt and throwing error, setting the tone for what looked like a breakout performance. The Buffaloes' offense truly exploded in the second inning, piling on five more runs. Mollie Johnson ripped an RBI double, Lily Frazier added a bunt single, and Alama Parsons delivered a two-run knock, giving Milligan a commanding 6-0 lead that had the dugout buzzing.
But Reinhardt, a seasoned tournament team, refused to back down. The Eagles chipped away with two runs in the second inning and two more in the fourth, slowly tightening the gap. Then came the decisive moment in the bottom of the fifth: Reinhardt erupted for seven runs on six hits and a costly Milligan error, flipping the script entirely and taking an 11-6 lead that silenced the Buffaloes' momentum.
Milligan showed their grit in the seventh inning, mounting one last rally. Vigil doubled, Oler drove in a run, and Parsons came through again with an RBI single, cutting the deficit to just three. But that's as close as they would get, as Reinhardt shut the door to end the game.
Parsons was the offensive star of the day, finishing with three hits and three RBIs. Bree Presnell returned to the circle late in the game after a difficult pitching change in the fifth, showing the kind of fight that defined this Milligan squad all season.
With the loss, the Buffaloes wrap up their 2026 campaign at 22-22. While the season didn't end with a trophy, the team heads into the offseason with valuable tournament experience and a foundation to build on for 2027. For fans of Milligan softball, there's plenty to look forward to as this young core continues to grow.