Kingsport, TN - The third-seed University of the Cumberlands took care of business in their first game at the NAIA Opening Round against second-seed Warner, winning 4-2 in a pitchers dual. Big relief performances from Jake Kmiecik and Garrett DeClue notched the Pats their 44^th win of the season as the Patriots advance in the winners bracket of the Kingsport Regional. 

Hunter Rigsby got the start and only pitched 1.0 innings. Kmiecik came in relief early to record the win as he pitched 5.0 innings scattering one run on three hits with three strikeouts and two walks. DeClue closed out the game pitching 3.0 innings while only allowing one hit with two strikeouts for his first save on the season.

Sean Cheely led the way offensively as he went 2-4, notching a double and a stolen base. Both Andres Rolon and Luis Alvarez recorded doubles in the game, while Kevin Perez notched a stolen base serving as a courtesy running.

UC got on the board first as they scored two runs in their first at bat. Cheely led off with a double to left center. Two batters later, Charlie Muniz singled to left field and Perez came into run. A few plays later, the Pats pulled off a double steal as both Cheely and Perez moved into scoring position. Next, Ray Villanueva notched an RBI single towards the third baseman for the 1-0 lead. Then, with runners on the corners, a wild pitch allowed both runners to advance making the score 2-0.

In the bottom half of the first, the Royals cut the lead in half as they scored one run. Then after a couple scoreless innings, UC notched a run in the top of the fourth to extend their lead. With one out, Alvarez came away with a double and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Then, Raphy Almanzar stepped up and notched an RBI single to center field to take the 3-1 lead.

In the bottom of the fifth, Warner scored their last run of the game. Over the next few innings both teams threatened multiple times but could never get a run across. In the top of the eighth, UC added an insurance run as Rolon led off with a double to left center and advanced to third a few plays later. Cheely then singled towards the shortstop for an RBI to take the 4-2 lead.

UC was able to hold the Royals scoreless in the next two at bats and take the 4-2 victory. The Pats play tomorrow at 2:30 pm and will take on the top-seed in the region Tennessee Wesleyan.

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