Last Regular Season Series Starts off with a Win for the Eagles

Milligan College, TN - The Eagles are looking to bounce back from their series at Bryan last weekend where they were only able to get one win in the three games. The Eagles' ace pitcher, Pablo Barquero, was only able to pitch one inning before coming out with an injury.  This unexpected exit put the team into relief pitching scramble mode early and they never really recovered.

In today's game with Milligan University, this is usually the spot where Barquero would get the start and get the team started off on the right foot for the weekend series. It would be Parker Miller that jump into this role and he pitched a brilliant game. Miller has been used mainly as either a middle reliever or closer throughout this season, however, he does have a few starts and pitches great no matter the role that he is given. Today would not be any different as Miller would go the full nine innings and strikeout an incredible 12 Buffalo batters. He would only give up five hits in the game with one being a home run, but he only allowed three runs which were plenty with the Eagles' offense getting their job done behind the plate in this game.

Miller would have seven innings of shutout baseball with Milligan only scoring in the first and third innings. The lead-off batter was able to double in the first inning and a failed pickoff attempt allowed him to move to third. A few batters later, a single would get the run across the plate making the game 1-0 Milligan. In the third inning, a runner would get on base, and then a few batters later -  a home run was given up scoring two runs, however, at this point of the game - the Eagles had already scored three runs in the top of the third inning.

In the top of the third, Jacob Profit would get a double which brought home Cedric Cullars. Cullars drew a walk to lead off the top of the third. Following Profit, Xavier Arnette singled which moved Profit to third. Tucker Zdunich was hit by a pitch next which then loaded up the bases. Jarrett Burney would sac fly to right field, which scored Profit and moved Cullars to third. Dawson Johns would then come up to bat and get a single. This single was able to bring home Cullars and that would be the final run for the top of the third. The Eagles had a 3-1 lead midway through the third inning, but Milligan was able to tie it up at the end of three.

Miller would buckle down and get the job done for the Eagles the rest of the way not allowing a run to score. The Eagles would get runs in the seventh and eighth innings to secure the win for the first game of three. Nick Sanders would get a single in the seventh which moved Jarrett Burney to third. A throwing error to third allowed for Burney to make it home giving the Eagles the 4-3 lead at the end of seven. 

In the eighth, Profit would make it on base again with a bunt this time. With his speed and quickness, Profit stole second and third putting him in scoring position. With two outs in the eighth, Arnette would reach first on an error by the Buffaloes' second baseman and this allowed Profit to make it home. This would be the only run of the eighth and the final run of the game giving the Eagles a 5-3 lead. Miller came into the top of the ninth and finished it up with a strikeout, a line out, and a fly out to end the game.

It was a great start for the Eagles in this final series of the season. It was also good to see Miller step up and fill the role that he needed in order to help the team get the win. The offense did their job and everything worked out for the Eagles in this one. Look for tomorrow's final games of the regular season to be just as competitive. Most likely, Ethan Foley will get the start in one of the two games and maybe Jordan Hampton in the final game. With Barquero coming back at some point, the Eagles pitching looks to be in good form going into the postseason.