Williamsburg, KY – Two wins added to the column as the Patriots move to 7-5 with victories over West Virginia Tech Golden Bears in back-to-back shutouts.
 
The Patriots took game one 6-0 in the home opener as five hits lead Cumberlands six times across the plate. In game two, power balls from Madison Huber and Tori Malone gave the 2-0 advantage, as well as the first home runs at the UC Softball Complex of 2020.
 
In both games, Patriots aced from the circle, combining for three hits allowed and 12 strikeouts between the complete game shutouts. Third wins of the year each went to the arms of Kaitlin White and Jessica Webb.
 
GAME ONE: CUMBERLANDS DEFEATS WEST VIRGINIA TECH, 6-0
Jessica Webb started the day with a strikeout against the very first batter to set the tone for the rest of the outing. Over her complete game, second of the season, she noted one-two-three innings in all but one end. Over the stretch, she totaled three strikeouts and two hits in the shutout.
 
Offensively, the Patriots moved quickly to put the first run on the board as Hailey Wood led off with a walk before taking her first of four stolen bases of the day to move into scoring position. Hannah Stephenson was credited for the day's first run batted in with her single to center.
 
Huber led off with a second-inning single to put one runner on before Acacia Gray worked some magic. The sophomore reached first safely on the well-placed bunt while Huber easily arrived at an open third base on the batted ball. Malone grounded into a double play but still noted an RBI for the cause.
 
Wood scored her second run of the afternoon in the bottom of the third on an infield single, also loading Emily Jasper. A stolen base later, Maddie Sickau sacrificed her at bat to plate another for the 4-0 advantage.
 
The Patriots capitalized again with the bunt game as Stephenson was allowed the free pass to first and Meryn Livingston bunted her teammate over to put runners on the corners. Huber took a pitch in to load the bases. A bad throw across the diamond pulled the Golden Bear's first baseman off the bag for the error, pushing two Patriot runs into the dugout for the frame.
 
Helping Webb along the way was the Patriot infield, notching two double plays turned including a game-ender. Stephenson also caught one stealing from behind the plate. After the Golden Bear's second hit of the game, a six-four-three groundout ended the fifth inning as Katie Cheeseman made the timely toss to first after the second base putout. In the seventh, a liner to Cheeseman again allowed the Patriots to sweep away West Virginia Tech with the first base toss to retire the game.
 
GAME TWO: CUMBERLANDS DEFEATS WEST VIRGINIA TECH, 2-0
Kaitlin White had a career day from the circle racking up nine strikeouts through the complete game, setting a new team benchmark for the 2020 season, now leading the team with the figure. She allowed only one hit in the game as well, her fewest of her young Patriots career.
 
The sole Golden Bear hit came in the first inning; White and company recovered defensively to hold the Golden Bears off the base path for the rest of the game. White went three-up, three-down for six straight innings en route to her third season win.
 
Huber had the fifth inning slam for the game-winning run across the plate in front of the home crowd and boost the team's confidence. The long ball sailed over left 210-plus feet for her team-leading third of the season, sixth of her career.
 
Malone stepped up an inning later to showcase a deep ball of her own, also pulling over the left field wall. She launched her first home run of the season on the first pitch to give some insurance on the 2-0 advantage.
 
It was a pitching battle for the entire contest as the Patriot offense fell eight times themselves to strikeouts. Only Huber and Malone tallied hits on the long balls, while Wood and Corinne Haverland reached first on errors.
 
With zeros showing across the board in the fourth, Wood put down the bunt in attempt to reach first, making the 60 feet on a failed squeeze by the second baseman on the cover. Stealing second and third in the same end, Wood threatened as the first run of the game. A miscue on the bunt-squeeze popped the ball to the pitcher, and the double play was called as Wood was unable to return to her base in time.
 
UP NEXT
The Patriots stay the course at home for one more two-game set against Tennessee Wesleyan, which had been moved from early February as the original season and home opener. Softball action is slated for 1 and 3 PM on home field.
 
Following the doubleheader, the Patriots pack their bags for the Sunshine State as they will travel for eight games against the Sun Conference. During the spring break trip, Cumberlands will see the likes of Warner, Webber, Southeastern and Ave Maria.
 
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