Williamsburg, KY – With the weekend series in limbo due to weather conditions, the Patriot baseball team would host the Cougars of the University of St. Francis a day early to get in effort to save the series. Rain would fall throughout the contest, but the Patriots would battle through the elements, using the long ball in a big way. Two big innings would spell demise for the Cougars as the Patriots would come away with an 18-1 victory, extending their winning streak to four.
 
It was the first start of the year for UC transfer JT Baksha, but he did not disappoint. He would work his way out of a pair of jams early, loading the bases in both the first and second innings, but would allow just one run while stranding the bags full in both innings. After settling down, Baksha would coast for three more innings of work in route to the win.
 
UC would get their offense started in the bottom of the third. With one down and the bases loaded, J.C. Santos would continue his hot streak by doubling deep off the center field wall, driving in two. Bryan Benz would follow with an RBI single while Bryan Leef would hit a sacrifice fly to score another. The final run of the inning came on another RBI single, this one off the bat of Jose Rojas, giving the Patriots a 5-1 lead.
 
The fifth inning was the most prolific offensive inning of the young season for UC. Before recording the first out of the inning, the Patriots would score ten runs, beginning with a RBI double from Rojas and a RBI walk by Marquis Orozco. UC then would hit not one, but two grand slams as both Orley Arellano and Bryan Leef would go yard. After a strikeout for the first out, Pedro Nazario entered the game as a pinch hitter and made his presence known quickly, sending a two-run shot over the left field fence quickly for a third home run in the inning and the 12^th and final run of the frame, giving UC a 17-1 lead. A final run would score in the sixth as the Patriots would earn the 18-1 win.
 
Baksha earned his first win of the year going five innings allowing just one run on five hits and three walks while striking out seven in the game. Lucas Jones would come in to finish out the game, throwing two innings of scoreless ball allowing just one hit and a walk while fanning one.  
 
UC will look to continue the series with the University of St. Francis on Saturday, February 16^th. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 2 pm.
 
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