Mandi Mooney
Assistant Editor/Web Administrator
The softball team honored seniors Shelby Banion and Ellen Stoots as they played in their final games at Anglin Field with two exciting wins against the UVA Wise Cavaliers Tuesday afternoon.
“It was exciting and really sad at the same time because, of course we won both of them and (they were) huge wins, but it was really hard to realize that it was the last time I was going to get to play on my home field,” Banion said.
After recognizing Banion and Stoots for a job well done over the past four years, the Lady Buffs ran out on the field for the doubleheader, determined to continue their winning streak as they begin bringing the regular season to a close.
In the first game, junior Brandy Waddle controlled the mound, pitching all seven innings. Waddle, who held the Cavaliers to only two runs during the game, added one run to Milligan’s score. Both Banion and Stoots also contributed one run each as they brought her final games at Milligan to a close. Also contributing to the final score were freshmen Sarah Smith and Leah Fritts. The final score of the first game was 5-2.
In the second game, the Lady Buffs came out strong in the first inning with two runs. However, in the top of the second inning, junior pitcher Traci Harrison seemed to struggle when the Cavaliers first batter hit a triple and later scored on an RBI. Despite the shaky start to the inning and a collision between Smith and sophomore Rebecca Gilley in the outfield, the Lady Buffs held UVA Wise to one run. In the bottom of the second inning, Smith scored Milligan’s third run.
Waddle returned to the field in the last two innings to relieve Harrison. For the rest of the game, Milligan did not allow the Cavaliers to make a comeback. The game ended with a score of 3-1.
“As a team, I was really pleased because we came together and we really proved ourselves. That is the first time we have beaten (UVA-Wise) two games in a row since I’ve been here. I was really pleased that Shelby and I got to have that,” Stoots said.
The Lady Buffs, who have won 17 of their last 18 games, now hold a record of to 36-11 for the season and 21-3 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference. Tuesday’s wins tie them for first place in the AAC with UVA Wise.
Both Banion and Stoots are sad to see their college softball careers come to an end, but both expressed how rewarding their hard work over the past four years has been.
“It has been a dream come true to have this opportunity to play this sport that I love… I have created memories that will be with me until the day that I die because of the girls and Coach Holly. They have made me a better player and a better person,” Banion said.