Montgomery, AL – After cancelling Saturday's home series due to weather, the UC softball team traveled to Faulkner for a doubleheader on Friday.  The Patriots took an early lead in both games but ultimately fell 4-2 and 11-2, respectfully, at Wynn Field.  With the wins the Eagles improve to 4-0 on the season, while the Patriots move to 0-4.

The day began with a scoreless first inning for both teams.  Cumberlands would strike in the top of the second as MiKayla Vires hit a leadoff double, which would be followed by Hayley Kilburn reaching on an error.  Emily Fox's sacrifice bunt moved runners to scoring position before Amber Hiller and Madison Huber each drove in a run to put UC up 2-0. 

Sydney Maynard was on early for the Patriots as she held Faulkner scoreless for through the first four innings, scattering four hits during that span.  The Eagles best opportunity came in the bottom of the fourth with two runners on and one out but Maynard got Kayla Gravatt to line out to Fox, who then stepped on the bag for the double play. 

The score remained 2-0 until the bottom of the fifth.  UC was able to get Jules Wilkes to groundout, but the next three Eagles' batters all reached base to load the bases.  After a pitching change, UC's got Tara Ammons to hit into a fielder choice at second to cut the lead to 2-1.  Another Faulkner hit along with a defensive miscue allowed two more Eagles to cross the plate giving them a 3-2 lead. 

UC looked to rally in the sixth and seventh innings as the Patriots had runners on first and second with two outs in both innings, but couldn't push them across the plate for the 4-2 final.

Offensively Vires led the way for UC going 2-3 with a run score, while Kilburn went 1-3 with a run scored.  Maynard took the loss pitching 4.1 innings, surrendering six hits and two runs, only one of which was earned.

Game two started with a scoreless game after two innings.  With two outs in the top of the third, Huber doubled to deep right for UC's first baserunner of the game.  Kailin Yantz followed with a single to center, which scored Huber and gave the Patriots a 1-0 lead. 

The lead was short lived however as Faulkner scored six runs on seven hits in the bottom of the third.  The Eagles started the inning with four straight hits, loading the bases and having tying the score at 1-1.  Sydney Pennycuff struck out Abbigail Barron, before Faulkner got back-to-back singles to make it a 4-1 game.  Comer came in relief and got UC out of a jam, but not before Taylor Nelson hit a two-run single to give the Eagles a 6-1 advantage. 

Faulkner added another run in the bottom of the fifth.  The Patriots looked to rally in the top of the sixth as Vires hit a two-out double to right.  Comer followed with a single to advance Vires to third and would eventually score on a wild throw to cut the deficit to 7-2.  Morgan Santos followed with a single to left but a Kilburn lineout ended the rally.  The Eagles scored four in the bottom of the sixth for 11-2 final.

At the plate Comer went 2-3 in game two, while Huber went 1-2 with a run scored.

The Patriots will return to the field Sunday, February 18, when they host Milligan at the UC Softball Complex.  The doubleheader is slated to begin at 1 p.m. with live video available here, while live stats are available here. 

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