Lewiston, ID- The sixth-ranked Cumberlands Patriots drop their Avista NAIA World Series opener 7-3 against sixth-ranked Westmont. Westmont made a late rally to take the game.

Charlie Muniz pushed his home run streak to four games as he started the game with a solo home run. Ben Snapp went 3-4 with one RBI, while Evan St Claire went 2-4 with a double. Knicko Billings got the start and pitched 5.1 innings, only allowing two runs on two hits with three strikeouts. Dustin Sprong and Zach Carlsen appeared, but Cesar Avila picked up the loss.

In the top of the first, Muniz put the Pats up 1-0 with a solo blast over the left field fence. In the bottom half of the inning, the Warriors tied the game as they scored a run.

UC regained the lead later in the fourth, after putting up two runs. Max Harper led off with a single through the left side. St Claire followed with a double to left center. Next, Josh Simon reached on an RBI fielder's choice and went to second on an error. Also, St Claire scored for the 3-1 lead on the play.

From there, Westmont scored one in the sixth and made a five-run rally in the bottom of the eighth to take the 7-3 lead. With one last chance to close the gap in the ninth, Snapp notched a single through the right side to lead off. But the Warriors got the next three outs to get the win.

The Patriots will take the field tomorrow in the first game of the day at 8:35 am pst (11:35 am est) against MidAmerica Nazarene.
 
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