Williamsburg, KY – Hannah Stephenson cashed in the power ball to loot Campbellsville of two runs, tying up the early game and eventually an extra-inning victory. The junior starred for the Patriots, going 5-8 during Monday's double including a two-run homer.
 
The Patriots came up short in game two, leaving the UC Softball Complex with another split day. Cumberlands advanced to
 
GAME ONE: WIN, 4-3
Stephenson's performances at the plate in both games were critical for the Patriots, especially in the early game. The junior catcher's day boosts her average to .320 on the year.
 
The Tigers put a run up on the Patriots in the first and third innings, getting an early 2-0 advantage on the home team. After Jenna Howell singled to center, Stephenson responded to the deficit with a home run of her own, refreshing the scoring slate.
 
Sydney Pennycuff continued her stellar run, stringing together five three-batter, hitless innings along with her seven strikeouts on the day, just shy of her season-high nine. The sophomore gathered her sixth win of her 2019 campaign with the complete game, scattering six hits along the way
 
Extra innings were in order as the game was tied through the seventh, and endured into the 10th. With the international tiebreaker rule in effect, the Tigers were only able to bunt over and score one run in the top of the final inning.
 
Howell was placed on second on the tiebreaker ruling, and Sarah Biggerstaff led off the inning after reaching on an error to put runners on the corners. A sacrifice bunt by Emily Jasper, who was narrowly beat by the throw to first, squeezed in the late-game tie. In walk-off fashion, Maddie Sickau tabbed the game-winning RBI by dropping her single through the left side.
 
Pennycuff and the Patriots pitching staff kept the Tigers line-up in check through the day. While allowing a home run in the first inning to Campbellsville's Riley Hurst, the bullpen adjusted and did not allow a hit to the same batter in her next six at bats.
 
GAME TWO: LOSS, 2-0
The Patriots did not shift their aggressiveness at the plate in game two, completing the game with nine runs to their name. UC was not able to bring any runners across home plate for scores however, leaving 10 on in the extra-inning shutout.
 
Stephenson opened the game with a single streaking down the right foul line to start on the right foot. Through the game, she tacked on a 3-5 run after singling to center then right again.
 
The Patriots had an opportunity to put the game to rest in the eighth prior to the Tigers' home run, but were unable to capitalize on the good positioning on base. Back-to-back singles and a walk load the bases, leading to three runners stranded as Campbellsville gets out of the jam on a foul fly.
 
Tori Malone was the only other fielder to tab multiple hits in the latter game, going two of four from the plate. After an infield single in game one, the first baseman placed two more hits into the right field grass.
 
Maddie Sickau, Jasper, Howell and Biggerstaff each concluded the series with a hit apiece in game two. Sickau finished the day with three hits, including another double to the rookie's name.
 
As they did during the latter game last Thursday, Jessica Webb found herself in a pitchers' duel with the Tigers' Payton Blades, this time succumbing to Campbellsville's batters late in the game. A two-run homer of the head of Biggerstaff in right was disastrous for the Patriots, unable to turn around a score of their own on the other side of the ninth frame.
 
In her 8.2 innings of work, Webb was unable to pull in a strikeout but kept UC alive with five hitless frames of her own, offering another three-hitter through the first seven innings. Against the 31 at bats, the sophomore totaled seven hits and four walks in her eighth loss of the season.
 
Krystin Wilson took care of business for the final out in the top of the ninth, getting the out after two pitches. The rookie was unable to be helped by the offense to claim a win, taking the no decision instead.
 
UP NEXT
Following Coach Bailey Dillender's win over her alma mater and former coach, the Patriots continue their home-field showcase with another four-day series lined up this weekend. The Patriots are tasked with Shawnee State on Friday and Saturday to close out the MSC regular season.
 
The split day put the Patriots on the fast-track to complete the regular season ahead of the curve. It will mark the program's first winning regular-season since 2008 (20-18).
 
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