JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 20, 2008) - Getting a pair of late scores in both games, the ETSU softball team enjoyed a doubleheader sweep of nearby Milligan College, winning 6-4 and 4-3 Thursday afternoon at Metro Kiwanis Park.

With the wins, ETSU improves to 11-17 on the year, while the Buffs dropped to 10-11.

In the opener of the doubleheader, the Bucs jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first two innings, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first thanks to a two-run double from junior Jessie Hackworth (Clinton) and a run-scoring single by sophomore Katy Jett (Talbot, Tenn.). ETSU kept the heat on in the bottom of the second, adding a single run on a home run blast by sophomore Marissa Hardy (Rocklin, Calif.)

But from there, the Buffs finally broke through against ETSU starter Ashley Boyd (Chattanooga), scoring two in the top of the fourth and tying the score 4-4 on a two-run homer by Steward Lakin in the top of the fifth. However, Boyd regrouped from there to hold the Buffs scoreless in the final two frames.

Sophomore Trisha Massenzo (Russellville) then took care of the Bucs' offensive needs by hitting the tiebreaking two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth. Boyd picked up the win to move to 3-3 on the season. Offensively, Jett was 3-for-3 with two runs and an RBI, while Hardy was 3-for-3 with a run and RBI.

In game two, the Bucs again took the early advantage, scoring two in the bottom of the first and adding a single run in the second. But yet again, Milligan battled back with a single run in the top of the third and tying the game at 3-3 with a pair of scores in the top of the sixth.

Game two starter Darci Gilbert (Murfreesboro) was able to work out of a base loaded situation for Milligan in the top of the sixth, and ETSU ultimately picked up the win thanks to a double from Jett and a game winning single by Hardy to end the game. Gilbert picked up the win to improve to 3-8 on the year, while Milligan reliever Ryan Musick pitched 3 2/3 innings of relief to take the loss.

Offensively, Jett and sophomore Cheniece Cason (Moreno Valley, Calif.) led the Bucs offense with two hits apiece.

The Bucs will return to action Friday with an Atlantic Sun Conference doubleheader against Gardner-Webb. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.