Columbus, GA – The Patriots remained down south to compete in Day Two of the NFCA Leadoff Classic. Cumberlands dropped a pair of games against #23 William Carey and #8 Central Methodist. UC combined for nine runs on ten hits and sits at an overall record of 7-2 on the season.
GAME ONE: PATRIOTS FALL SHORT AGAINST CRUSADERS, 6-8
In the top of the first, the Pats recorded their first base runner with an Amber Gainer hit by pitch who then stole second. She capitalized on an error to score UC's first run of the day for a 1-0 lead. Immediately following, Jade Gainer blasted a solo shot to elevate UC's lead to 2-0 after the top of the first. The Crusaders quickly worked on offense to steal the lead from the Patriots, making the score 2-4 at the end of the first.
UC worked at the plate, recording a single from Aniyah White with her swiping second to move into scoring position. Cumberlands was unable to capitalize and moved into the bottom of the second where the Crusaders tacked on another run, 2-5. The tide started to turn when Jade Gainer singled to right center in the third. Makenzie Keatts worked deep into the count before punching a two-run shot over the left field fence, bringing the Patriots within one run (4-5). The bottom of the third featured Lindsey Shope coming in for relief and getting the Pats out of the inning unharmed.
The top of the fourth was sparked by an Emily Bryant walk and White moving Bryant into scoring position. A Morgan Radford single up the middle evened the playing field at 5-5 headed into the bottom of the fourth. The Crusaders were relentless and managed to tack on another run, making the score 5-6 in their favor.
In a late attempt, Cumberlands took advantage of the Crusaders errors, seeing Turnbow reach first. A fielders choice play led White to reach first safely, before she quickly swiped her second bag of the day. Another clutch Morgan Radford RBI single sent White across the plate to tie the game once again, 6-6. However, it was not enough as the Crusaders tacked on two more runs and the Pats were unable to respond, falling 6-8.
GAME ONE LEADERS
Jade Gainer led the way offensively, going 2-4 at the plate with one RBI and two runs. Morgan Radford followed going 2-3 with two RBI's while Keatts went 1-3, marking two RBI's and one run.
GAME TWO: PATRIOTS LOSE CLOSE BATTLE AGAINST EAGLES, 3-5
In game two, the Pats found themselves in a pitchers' dual. Morgan Radford held strong in the circle through five innings. In the bottom of the first, she served up a fly ball and two ground balls followed by two fly balls and another grounder in the bottom of the second. It remained scoreless as Morgan Radford continued to serve routine plays as the Patriots defense continued to back her.
In the top of the fourth inning, the script flipped as UC recorded their first hit of the game. A Carly Oliver double to left center placed in scoring position, followed by a past ball that moved her to third. An Amber Gainer walk put runners on the corner when Jade Gainer moved the runners with a grounder to the left side to make it 1-0 in UC's favor. A Keatts laser to first moved Amber Gainer to third, seeing an Amber Atkins RBI single to put the Patriots up 2-0. Morgan Radford continued to hold her own, with an easy three-up three down inning.
Cumberlands' electric fifth inning was sparked with a Shelby Radford single through the 5-6 hole. A Morgan Radford single to center moved runners into scoring position when Amber Gainer took advantage of an Eagle error to reach base and push another run across, making it 3-0 UC. The bottom of the fifth saw Kaitlyn Schofield in for relief with her middle infielder's backing her for a quick inning.
The Patriots were unable to tack on anymore runs in the sixth inning. The Eagles quickly turned the tide in the bottom of the sixth where a collection of timely hits saw them recording five runs. The Patriots looked to recapture the lead, but ultimately fell 3-5.
GAME TWO LEADERS
Atkins led the way offensively, going 1-3 at the plate with one RBI. Oliver, Shelby Radford, and Morgan Radford recorded one hit apiece.
UC will conclude the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, GA with a single game against Jessup University (CA) on Sunday, February 18 at 9:00 a.m.
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