Columbia, KY – 17^th ranked Pats gets an 8-2 win over conference foe Lindsey Wilson in a non-conference game on Tuesday afternoon. Cumberlands had a strong outing from Garrett DeClue on the hill to advance them to 16-9 on the season.

DeClue got the start and notched his first win of the season as he pitched 8.0 innings. DeClue only allowed eight hits and two runs, only one run was earned. He also had six strikeouts on 91 pitches. Jake Kmiecik came in relief and pitched 1.0 innings, giving up two hits with two strikeouts.

The Pats was led by Andres Rolon offensively as he went 3-5 at the plate with one RBI. Sujel Arias had a good game as well going 2-4 with a double and a team-high three RBIs. Sean Cheely also went 2-4 and came away with a game-high two stolen bases. Candido Encarnacion went 2-5 on the day, with both hits being doubles.

The offense got started early for Cumberlands, with two outs and one on base Arias got walked. Encarnacion then got his first double of the day to center field, while bringing home a run. Ray Villanueva followed with a two RBI single towards the shortstop, for the 3-0 lead. Two batters later, Rolon would single to right field scoring one more run for the 4-0 lead.

In the Patriots next at bat, Cheely led off and got hit by a pitch, then stole second two pitches later. Three batters later with two outs and Cheely standing on third, Arias got an RBI single towards the shortstop for the 5-0 lead.

After a couple scoreless innings, the Blue Raiders got on the board, cutting the lead to 5-1 in the bottom of the fifth. UC responded in the sixth scoring two runs for the 7-1 lead. After a ground out to start the inning, Cheely singled to left field, then stole second a few pitches later. Both Raphy Almanzar and Charlie Muniz got walked to fill the bases. Then with the bases loaded Arias notched a two RBI double to center field for the 7-1 lead.

A few innings later, the Pats scored a run to make it an 8-1 lead in the top of the eighth. With one out Muniz doubled to center field. Then Kevin Perez came into courtesy run for Muniz. Two batters later Encarnacion hit his second RBI double to center field to make it 8-1.

The Blue Raiders scored the last run of the game in the bottom of the eighth to make the score 8-2.

The Patriots are back on the road for a Mid-South Series at Bethel set to start on Saturday March 19^th at 4 pm CST. Then continue on Sunday at 1 PM CST for a double-header.

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