Williamsburg, KY – The UC softball team took an early lead in game one, while Sidney Pennycuff struck out 11 in game two, but it wasn't enough as UC fell to the University of Northwestern Ohio 9-2 and 8-5, Sunday afternoon at the UC Softball Complex.  With the wins the Racers improve to 2-0 on the season, while the Patriots move to 0-8.

Cumberlands was able to strike first in game one as they scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the first.  Kailin Yantz and MiKayla Vires hit back-to-back singles, before a Hayley Kilburn two out double scored both runners and gave the Patriots an early 2-0 lead.

Northwestern Ohio responded in the top of the second as the Racers put their first two batters on base.  After getting a pop out, Kennedy Arndt doubled to left to score Joey Brinegar and cut the lead to 2-1.  Sydney Maynard was able to pitch out of the jam and prevent the tying run from scoring.

The Racers scored three runs in both the third and fourth inning to take a 7-2 advantage.  UC looked to get something going in the bottom of the fourth as Morgan Santos drew a two-out walk.  Madison Huber followed with a single to left, advancing Santos to second, however that was the furthest they got as Amber Hiller lined out to end the inning.

Northwestern Ohio added a pair of runs in the top of the fifth, while Aubrey Brunst retired the final nine batters for the 9-2 final.

Maynard pitched 4.0 innings scattering eight hits and four runs, three of which were earned.  Kilburn went 1-3 with a double and two RBI.

Game two saw the Patriots record ten hits, while Pennycuff recorded a career-high 11 strikeouts in her first complete game. 

Pennycuff started the game with back-to-back strikeouts.  Northwestern Ohio had a two-out rally as Kayla Ward hit a two-run single, before Pennycuff got Brinegar to strikeout to give the Racers an early 2-0 lead. 

The scored remained that way until the top of the third as the Racers scored four runs to extend their lead to 6-0.  Cumberlands battled back in the bottom of the third as Elisa Mauldin hit a triple to deep right-center field to lead off the inning.  She would later score on a MiKayla Vires sac fly cutting the deficit to 6-1.

Pennycuff held the Racers scoreless in the fourth and struck out the side in the top of the fifth.  The Patriots continued to rally in the bottom of the fifth as Mauldin reached base to lead off the inning.  Yantz followed with an RBI double and advanced to third on a Vires single.  With two on and no outs, Tara Comer smashed a double off the right field wall, scoring Yantz and giving the Patriots runners in scoring positions with no outs.  The Racers brought Brunst in relief and was able to get out of the jam keeping the score 6-3.

Northwestern Ohio added a pair of runs in the top of the sixth to make it 8-3.  The score remained that way until the bottom of the seven as Vires and Comer each singled to lead off the inning.  A wild pitch allowed the runners to advance to scoring positions.  Cumberlands got back-to-back RBI groundouts to cut the deficit to 8-5 but that was the closest UC got as the Racers were able to get the final out of the game.

Vires lead the way for the Patriots in game two going 3-3 with an RBI and run scored, while Mauldin reached base three times and score a pair of runs.  Comer finished 2-4 with an RBI double.  Cumberlands put the leadoff batter on in six of the seven innings in the game.

The Patriots will return to the field Monday, February 26, when they wrap up their four games set against the University of Northwestern Ohio at the UC Softball Complex.  Monday's doubleheader is slated to begin at 2 p.m. with live stats are available here, live video will be available for the second game of the doubleheader here.

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