Milligan, TN – The No. 8 Patriots secured their first run-rule of the season, defeating Milligan, 13-2, in seven innings on Tuesday afternoon, at Anglin Field in Milligan, TN.

Dustin Sprong started on the mound for Cumberlands and went four full innings, earning his first win of the season. The graduate student threw five strikeouts and allowed four hits and two walks. Sprong was followed in relief by Kailen Hamson, who threw for two innings. He retired six straight batters, with three strikeouts, two groundouts, and a foul out. Both Sprong and Hamson managed to hold Milligan's offense to no runs.

Catcher, Charlie Muñiz batted 2-for-4 on the day, with one walk. He notched a home run and a single, while collecting four RBIs and scoring two runs. Max Harper finished 2-for-4 at the plate, along with one walk. The Fredricksburg, VA native hit a home run and a double and accounted for one run scored with four RBIs. Caden Petrey followed suit and went 2-for-4, as well. The sophomore notched two singles, three RBIs, and plated two runs.

Trent Prokes sparked a strong offense with a double to right field in the top of the third and was brought to the plate on a 2 RBI homer from Muñiz. After a walk to Evan St. Claire, Max Harper launched UC into a stronger 4-0 lead with a two-run homer.

After a scoreless fifth, the Patriots extended the score with three more runs, 7-0, in the top of the sixth inning. Ben Snapp led off with a single to the shortstop, followed by Alec Gonzalez reaching after being hit by a pitch, and was substituted for pinch runner Jay Flynn. Both runners advanced on a Trent Prokes fly-out and were sent home by Petrey, who laid down a two RBI single to the shortstop. The Buffaloes walked the next two batters to load the bases. For the final run of the frame, St. Claire reached base on an RBI fielder's choice, allowing Petrey to cross the plate.

Jose Valentin, the designated hitter, opened the top of the seventh inning with a solo home run. After Snapp and Prokes were issued walks, Petrey singled to third base and brought Snapp home. The bases were loaded after a walk to Christian Thompson, and the Patriots scored two more on a two RBI fielder's choice by Muñiz. Harper extended UC's lead to 13-0 after scoring St. Claire, who reached on a single, and Muñiz.

The Buffaloes were held scoreless until the bottom of the seventh inning. They scored two runs off two hits, but it was not enough to escape the run-rule deficit.

UC will host Shawnee State in their first home series of 2024 at Doyle Buhl Stadium in Williamsburg, KY. A double-header will be played on Thursday February 15^th, with games at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. The final game of the series will take place on Friday February 16^th at 1 p.m.

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