Williamsburg, KY– 17^th ranked UC came out bats blazing as they scored at least one run in every inning, to beat Midway 20-10 on Tuesday Afternoon. Monster days from Seth Benner and Raphy Almanzar propels the Pats to a 19-10 record.

Starting the day on the mound was Bryan Juarez who pitched 2.2 innings, allowing eight hits for six runs, and two walks. Caleb Plummer came in relief and pitched 3.1 innings, giving up seven hits, four runs and four strikeouts. Plummer also got credit for the win he is now 2-1 on the season. Chipper Korbacher closed the game for UC, as he pitched 1.0 innings and recorded one strikeout on 10 pitches.

Offensively, UC was led by freshman standout Benner. He went 5-6 on the day with three doubles and nine RBIs marking a new career high. Benner also had the walk off single to end the game. Almanzar had a perfect 4-4 day at the plate with two walks, two stolen bases, and one RBI. Sean Cheely went 2-4 with a double and three stolen bases.

The Patriots opened the game scoring five runs in their first at bat. Cheely got the leadoff walk, then stole second a few pitches later. Almanzar followed with a single toward third base, and advanced to second after a throwing error. Cheely came home to score on the play. With one out, Sujel Arias would get walked. Candido Encarnacion followed with an RBI single through the left side. Ray Villanueva then notched an RBI single of his own, this time up the middle for the 3-0 lead. After Villanueva stole second, Benner got his first RBI of the game as he singles toward second base. A few plays later with two outs, UC would score one more run from a wild pitch for a 5-0 lead.

After Midway put a run on the board, UC answered with four runs in the second. With one out Almanzar singled down the left field line then advance to second on a fielding error. Charlie Muniz then got hit by a pitch, and Kevin Perez came into courtesy run. Arias came up and hit a single to left field to fill the bases. Encarnacion followed as he reached first on an Eagles error, which also scored a run. Two batters later Benner got a base clearing doubled to right center for a 9-1 Pats lead.

The Eagles scored five runs in the top of the third to cut the gap to 9-6. Cumberlands was able to score one run as Cheely doubled to left center with one out. Next, Almanzar singles toward the shortstop. Then a few pitches later Cheely and Almanzar got a double steal. Muniz got an RBI ground out to bring Cheely home for the 10-6 score.

Both teams scored one run in the fourth, UC's run came off a bases loaded walk. Then in the bottom of the fifth, the Patriots brought home four runs. Arias got the leadoff walk. Two batters later Villanueva doubled down the left field line, and Arias advanced to third. Benner followed and hit a two RBI double down the left field line as well, for the 13-7 lead. Andres Rolon replaced Shane Jones at designated hitter and got walked. After an out and a balk, Cheely got an RBI single, as Benner came home to score. A few plays later, Cheely stole second and on the throw from the catcher to second Rolon went home to score for the 15-7 lead.

Midway then put up three runs in the top of the sixth. UC responded with one run. With two outs Villanueva got walked and Benner notched his third double of the day, as Villanueva scored from first on the play for the 16-10 lead.

After holding Midway scoreless, UC needed to score four runs for the run rule win in the seventh. With one out, Almanzar singled up the middle, Rhett Gipe who replaced Muniz at catcher reached first on an Eagles error. A couple pitches later, Perez the courtesy runner and Almanzar came away with a double steal. Two batters later, Encarnacion got an RBI single toward third base to bring the score to 17-10. Villanueva came in and singled up the middle for an RBI, then advance to second on the throw. With the score 18-10 and two runners on base, Benner got a walk off two RBI single to bring the run rule in play for the 20-10 Patriots win.

Cumberlands return to action this weekend as they bring fifth ranked Georgia Gwinnett and RV Point Park to town. UC's weekend starts Friday March 25 at 7 pm as they take on Point Park.

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