Williamsburg, KY – The #3 Patriots faced Tennessee Wesleyan in a mid-week matchup where combined offensive and defensive efforts led to a 7-0 victory for UC. Cumberlands pitching staff combined for nine strikeouts on the day along with the Pats offense produced seven runs on nine hits. UC now sits at an overall record of 5-0.

PLAY-BY-PLAY
After a three up three down first inning on the mound from Talli Burgess, Cumberlands' offense was sparked by a Carly Oliver hit by pitch and an Amber Gainer single to second base. A pair of stolen bases from Oliver and Amber Gainer moved runners into scoring position. Jade Gainer collected an RBI by putting the ball in play for Oliver to score and Amber Gainer to move to third. An Amber Atkins RBI single saw the Pats close the first inning with a 2-0 lead.

In the top of the second, Burgess collected two strikeouts to send the Pats back to the plate. A leadoff Emily Bryant single to center field was followed by a Shelby Radford sacrifice bunt to move Bryant into scoring position. An Oliver RBI single up the middle elevated UC's score to 3-0 headed into the third inning.

Burgess continued to be lights out on the mound, recording one strikeout and serving up routine plays for Cumberlands' defense. The bottom of the third was the turning point for the Pats, starting with a Jade Gainer walk. An Atkins single to left field loaded the bases, seeing Bailey Turnbow capitalize on Bulldog errors to raise the score to 4-0. A fielders choice play led Bryant to tally an RBI as Makenzie Keatts crossed home followed by a clutch, Morgan Radford scorching double to right center, raising the score to 7-0 in favor of UC.

In the top of the fourth, Lindsey Shope came in for relief and served up routine plays for UC's defense to back her, featuring a pair of web gems from Bryant. She tallied one strikeout to send the Patriots back to the plate. Cumberlands tried to produce something on offense, but to no avail were sent back into the field. Shope held the Bulldogs at bay, recording five total strikeouts over four innings to secure a 7-0 victory for the Patriots.

LEADERS
Oliver led the way offensively, going 2-3 at the plate with one RBI and one run while Amber Gainer followed, going 2-4 at the plate with one run. Amber Atkins was perfect at the plate, going 2-2 with one RBI while Bryant was 2-3 with one RBI and one run.

Burgess collected her first save of the season after recording four strikeouts over three innings. Shope collected her first win of the season after recording five strikeouts over four innings.

UC will hit the road to Columbus, GA for the NFCA Leadoff Classic. The Patriots will face (RV) Indiana University Southeast on Friday, February 16th at 11:00 a.m. UC will follow with a second game against #18 College of Coastal Georgia on Friday, February 16th at 1:00 p.m.

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