Columbus, GA - In the #3 Cumberlands Patriots second game at the NAIA World Series, the offense erupted to take down #7 Marian, 9-6. The Pats' offense combined for 13 hits and only gave up seven to the Knights hitters.

Makenzie Keatts had a historic day at the plate, breaking the NAIA World Series record for home runs in a game, blasting three over the fence. It also marked the first time a hitter under sixth-year Head Coach Bailey Dillender to have a trio of home runs in a single contest. Her three home runs gave UC the new single season team record at 37, previously at 35 in 2017. Keatts was one of four hitters for the Pats to have a trio of hits. Carly Oliver, Morgan Radford and Meryn Livingston all tallied three. 
 

In the circle, it was a win by committee, with Talli Burgess, Kaiti White and Morgan Radford combining for the team's 49th win of the season. Burgess got the start and the win (21-0), going 4.0 innings, striking out four while giving up three earned runs off four hits. White was the first one off the bench, dealing for 1.1 innings with two runs off a pair of hits. Radford was in relief and earned her first save of the season after giving up just one hit in 1.2 innings of work.

The Knights got on the board first, capitalizing on two walks, a UC error and one hit. This allowed them to take the 1-0 lead, but it did not last long.

The 1-0 lead was the only time Marian was in front the entire game. In the bottom of the frame the Pats got going with the bats. Oliver led the way with a leadoff single down the left field line. With Oliver on first and one out on the board, Keatts drove the ball down the left field line as well, but this one was lifted over the wall to make it a 2-1 UC lead.

Burgess shutdown the Knights' offense in the second inning with a three up, three down frame including a strikeout looking. Then the Pats got going again. With two outs on the board, Livingston roped the ball up the middle and got the double to be in scoring position. Radford was up next and sailed the ball to right field, putting runners on the corners for Oliver. The Georgetown, KY native singled into left field, allowing Livingston to score and extend the lead to 3-1.
 

The Knights answered back in the top of the third off two hits and a sac bunt to cut the lead to 3-2. But once again UC wasted no time with a response of their own. Keatts led off the inning with her second home run of the game, sending the ball over the centerfield wall. Then with two outs, Mackenzie Pawlak worked a walk to be on first base. Hailey Wood was up next and roped the ball to the left side to have a pair of runners on. In stepped Livingston who stayed hot at the plate, pushing the ball to left field and bringing Pawlak around to score. But the runs did not stop there. Radford laced her third triple of the season past the diving left fielder to score both Wood and Livingston and make it a 7-2 ballgame.
 

Cumberlands once again got three straight outs in the next frame and then used that momentum to propel the offense. Keatts notched her third home run of the game, marking her 12th of the season, tying her for second in a single season. The solo bomb improved the lead to 8-2.

The Knights got a pair of runners to start the fifth inning, bringing White into the contest. White issued three groundouts and just one hit, allowing Marian to only score two runs for an 8-4 game.

But in the bottom half of the inning the Pats stayed resilient, answering back again. Livingston earned her third hit of the day with a single to left field. Taylor Green came in to run for her and then Radford singled to put two runners on. Oliver was next and singled to load the bases. Maddie Sickau then put the ball in play. She was thrown out at first, but it allowed Green to score for a 9-4 UC advantage.

In the top of the sixth, the Knights had a solo home run and then a walk. This brought Radford into the circle with one out and a runner on. She gave up one, allowing the second run of the inning to cross, closing UC's lead to 9-6.

In the seventh, Radford issued two groundouts and a popout to secure the 9-6 win and put UC into the winners' bracket final. The nine runs for Cumberlands is the second most runs the Knights have given up all season long.

The Pats will next face #4 Southern Oregon on Monday, May 29 at 7PM ET with a chance to be in the National Championship game on the line.