Columbus, GA – The Patriots traveled south to compete in the NFCA Leadoff Classic. UC collected wins over (RV) Indiana University Southeast and #18 College of Coastal Georgia on Day 1 of the Classic. Cumberlands combined for 21 runs on 21 hits paired with nine strikeouts over 12 innings from the Pats' pitching staff. UC sits at an overall record of 7-0.

GAME ONE: PATRIOTS EDGE BY (RV) GRENADIERS, 7-6
Cumberlands had a slow start, seeing a single through the left side from Carly Oliver but was unable to score her. The bottom of the first saw the Grenadiers take an early 0-3 lead with a trio of singles. In the top of the second, UC's Emily Bryant collected a walk, but no other base runners were able to reach. Both teams were quiet until the bottom of the fourth saw the Grenadiers tack on another run to extend their lead, 0-4.

An Aniyah White walk in the top of the fifth sparked the Pats' momentum. White swiped second to move her into scoring position, where a Morgan Radford groundball to the right side effectively moved White into scoring position. A sacrifice fly from Oliver saw White cross for Cumberlands first run of the day, 1-4. The Grenadiers tallied their final runs of the day with a pair of singles to elevate the score to 1-6.

The tide started to change in the top of the sixth with a Makenzie Keatts walk. Pinch runner Cloe Smith took advantage of a wild pitch and advanced to second, where an RBI double from Bailey Turnbow put the Pats up 2-6. Pitcher Kaitlyn Schofield served up routine plays for the Pats for a quick three up, three down inning in the bottom of the sixth.

An electric seventh inning was sparked by a Morgan Radford double to left center. Four consecutive walks for the Pats pushed two runs across and left the bases loaded for Amber Atkins. A clutch, three RBI Atkins double to right center put the Patriots on top, 7-6. Morgan Radford pitched in relief during the bottom of the seventh and held the Grenadiers at bay for a 7-6 comeback victory for the Pats.

GAME ONE LEADERS
Oliver led the way offensively, going 1-1 at the plate with one RBI, one run and two walks. Atkins, Turnbow, and Morgan Radford recorded one hit apiece. Atkins tallied three RBI's while Turnbow tallied one RBI.

Pitcher Kaitlin Schofield collected her second win of the season after recording two strikeouts and only allowing one hit over three innings. Morgan Radford collected the save after recording one strikeout and only allowing one hit.

GAME TWO: PATRIOTS SOAR PAST MARINERS, 14-1
The Patriots wasted no time offensively, seeing back-to-back doubles from Oliver and Amber Gainer for an early 1-0 lead. In the top of the second, the Mariners had a pair of singles that allowed them to tie the game, 1-1.

UC quickly tacked on multiple runs with a Bryant single, Shelby Radford double, and Morgan Radford ball to the right side for a 3-1 lead over the Mariners. An Oliver single paired with back-to-back Gainer doubles elevated UC's score to 6-1. An Atkins single up the middle closed out the bottom of the second with a 7-1 lead for Cumberlands.

Morgan Radford continued to be lights out on the mound, serving up routine plays for the Patriots defense. The bottom of the third determined the Mariners fate, initiated by a Shelby Radford single through the left side. A Morgan Radford triple combined with an Oliver double and Amber Gainer single raised UC's score to 10-1. A Keatts single up the middle, an Atkins triple to left center, and a Turnbow sacrifice fly secured UC's 14-1 run rule victory over the Mariners.

GAME TWO LEADERS
Oliver led the way offensively, going 3-4 at the plate with one RBI and three runs followed by Amber Gainer, who went 3-3 at the plate with four RBI's and two runs. Jade Gainer went 2-3 at the plate with one RBI and two runs while Atkins was 2-3 with three RBI's and one run.

UC will remain in Columbus, GA for Day Two of the NFCA Leadoff Classic. The Patriots will face #23 William Carey University on Saturday, February 17th at 11:00 a.m. UC will follow with a second game against #8 Central Methodist University on Saturday, February 17th at 1:00 p.m.

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