Babson Park, FL- Cumberlands faced #25 Webber International to end their six game road trip through Florida. Both teams entered the day coming off a loss, but the Warriors were able to bounce back and take both contests by scores of 6-3 and 3-0.

Before today, UC had not hit a home run this season, but in game one both Sarah West and Maddie Sickau were able to hit the ball over the left field fence.

The Patriots had the least amount of errors over the stretch of two games with just one, but defensive miscues with runners on proved to be costly. The UC pitching staff was also able to limit the walks against the Warriors giving up none in the first game followed by just two in the second game.

CUMBERLANDS FALLS TO WEBBER INTERNATIONAL 6-3 (8 INNINGS)
West got the Patriots on the board first blasting a home run to left field. The hit is just her second this season and first home run of her career.

The Warriors got the run back in the fourth inning. A lead off single followed by a ground out and a single to center field pushed the run across.

An inning later, Webber would take the lead by playing small ball team offense. The second batter of the inning got on after being hit by a pitch from Kaiti White. A single down the right field line advanced the runner to third and brought Talli Burgess into pitch for the Patriots. The first batter she faced laid down a squeeze bunt that scored the runner from third and advanced the runner from first to just 60 feet away from scoring. A groundout to Katie Cheeseman at second base scored the runner from third giving the Warriors a 3-1 win.

Despite being down late, the UC offense rallied in the next half inning. Emily Bryant's patience at the plate earned her a walk. Sickau made the walk count by stepping up and hitting a two-run home run to tie the game at three apiece.

Neither team scored in the seventh inning, making it the second game of the season UC saw a game go to extra innings. With the speed of Hailey Wood on second, Emily Jasper laid down a bunt that earned her a single and advanced Wood 60 feet. Next up Cheeseman hit a fly ball to center field. Wood tagged from third and looked to score, but she was ruled out for leaving the base too early. Despite loading the bases, UC was unable to push a run across leaving the game wide open for Webber to win in walk-off fashion.

Webber used another sacrifice bunt to advance their runner to third. Their next hitter bunted as well, but UC held the ball to make sure the runner at third did not advance. The double play was now in effect from the runner at first, however the next batter hit a three run home run giving Webber the 6-3 win.
 
CUMBERLANDS FALLS TO WEBBER INTERNATIONAL 3-0
The UC offense was stifled in the second game of the day earning just two hits in seven innings. Despite the lack of hits the Patriots were able to muster up base runners, but ultimately stranded eight of them on base.

Abby Whelan also kept the Webber offense at bay limiting them to just five hits in 5.2 innings of work. A balanced pitcher, Whelan earned seven flyouts as well as seven groundouts to limit any damage from the Warriors.

The one run she did give up did not come until the sixth inning. With a runner on first, the Warriors used the sacrifice bunt once again to advance their runner. The speed of the baserunner had her at second as the throw was being made so she took off for third. Meryn Livingston went to cover third, but the throw was not in time and the runner was safe. However, the play left home unoccupied and the baserunner ran for home as Livingston tossed the ball back to Whelan in the circle. Kaci Goedde entered the game and ended the threat with a popout.

Now up 1-0, the Warriors scored in the seventh to go up 1-0. After a leadoff walk, Webber utilized the sacrifice bunt once again to advance their runner to second. An infield single put runners on the corners. The first pitch to the new batter had the runner on first take off for second. UC tried to catch the runner on third off guard by cutting off Livingston's throw to second and throwing at the runner at third. However, a mishandled ball at third advanced the runner to give Webber the 2-0 lead.

The game was played at Webber's field but UC was the home team for the second game giving them a chance to tie or win in the seventh inning. Wood earned a walk followed by Jasper getting on base from an error to put Cumberlands' two fastest runners on the base paths. Unfortunately, a groundout from Cheeseman ended the threat handing UC their second loss of the day and fourth straight of the season.

Cumberlands will return to Williamsburg for a double header on Wednesday, February 17 against Tennessee Wesleyan starting at 3 PM. Live stats will be available here with a live stream here.
 
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