Columbia, KY- 15^th ranked Cumberlands takes first Mid-South series 2-1 after beating Lindsey Wilson 4-3 in the first game and 10-8 in the second game. Both Max Harper and Caden Petrey hit timely homeruns to give the Patriots the lead.

Game 1

Garrett DeClue got the start and his second win of the season as he pitched 3.2 innings allowing four hits, two runs, and three walks. He also put in five strikeouts. Caleb Plummer came in relief and pitched 1.1 innings only allowing one hit, one run, and a strikeouts. Cesar Avila came in to close and got his second save of the season as he pitched 2.0 innings. He allowed one hit with three strikeouts. At the plate, Harper went 3-4 with a homerun and four RBIs. While Sujel Arias went 2-3 at the plate, with a stolen base.

Lindsey Wilson got the scoring going in the bottom of the second, Cumberlands was able to tie the game in the top of the third as Petrey led off with a single. Two batters later Arias singled to left field.
Then Max Harper got an RBI single up the middle to tie the game at 1-1.

The Blue Raiders regained the lead in the bottom of the third. UC answered with three runs in the fifth to take their first lead of the day. With one out, Charlie Muniz singled up the middle, and courtesy runner Kevin Perez went to second on a passed ball. Next, Arias singled through the left side to put runners on the corners. Then, Harper stepped in the box and homered to take the 4-2 lead.

Lindsey Wilson was able to score one more run, but UC was able to hold on to win and tie the series at 1-1.

Game Two

In game two, Knicko Billings came in a pitched 4.1 innings to get his second win of the season. He only allowed four hits, and one run, with six strikeouts. Jared Shelton came in relief and pitched 2.2 innings, giving up three hits and two runs with three strikeouts. Chipper Korbacher got the save as he pitched 1.1 innings only allowing one hit with four strikeouts. Josiah Santiago went 2-3 at the plate with two RBIs. While Ben Snapp went 3-5 with a double. Petrey went 1-4; his lone hit was a grand slam.

The Patriots opened the first inning with the Raphy Almanzar single up the middle. Muniz followed with a single through the left side. Then Arias would single up the middle for an RBI and the 1-0 lead. Harper would reach first on a fielder's choice then Josh Simon got walked. Two batters later Santiago singled through the right side for two RBIs and the 3-0 lead.

Lindsey Wilson tied the game at 3-3 in their first at bat. After a scoreless second inning UC scored a run to regain the lead. With one out Santiago singled through the right side, then Snapp double to right field to put Santiago in scoring position. Petrey followed with a sacrifice fly allowing Santiago to score from third for the 4-3 lead.

The Blue Raiders was able to get a run across in the fourth to tie the game. The Pats answered with five runs in the top of the fifth to take the 9-4 lead. Evan St Claire got walked to lead off the inning.

Then Santiago got hit by a pitch, and Snapp singled to fill the bases. Next, Petrey stepped in the box and hit a Grand Slam to take the 8-4 lead. After the home run, Almanzar got walked and went to second on a groundout. Arias then singled through the left side to put runners on the corners, and Harper reached on a fielders choice for an RBI as Almanzar scored for the 9-4 lead.

Patriots got one more run across in the top of the sixth to make it 10-4. With two outs, Snapp singled through the left side. After a change of pitcher, Snapp stole second. Then Petrey reached on an error allowing Snapp to score on the play for the 10-4 lead.

The Blue Raiders scored four runs in the eighth to cut the lead down to 10-8. But that was as close as they could get, as the Pats held on for the 10-8 victory to take the series 2-1. Cumberlands moved to 10-2 and will have a doubleheader on Tuesday February 28 against Johnson University in Knoxville, KY.

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