Williamsburg, KY – The Patriots returned to the Burg for the annual Ice-Burg Classic. On the first day of play, UC faced the University of Rio Grande and Taylor University where they posted a 2-0 record. The Pats were seen besting the Red Storm, 10-2, and the Trojans, 4-3. Cumberlands combined for 14 runs on 18 hits paired with four strikeouts over 12 innings from the Pats' pitching staff. UC sits at an overall record of 9-3.

GAME ONE: PATRIOTS RUN-RULE RED STORM, 10-2
The Red Storm came ready to play with a leadoff homerun to start the game, giving Rio Grande a 1-0 advantage in the first inning. The Patriots quickly flipped the script with an Amber Gainer double to center field followed by a Makenzie Keatts single to left field that tied the score at 1-1. With two outs, an Amber Atkins double to right center paired with an Emily Bryant single to short elevated UC's lead to 2-1 with bases loaded. A timely hit from Shelby Radford pushed two more runs across, raising the score to 4-1 at the end of the first.

A quick inning on defense brought the Pats back up to the plate, starting with a Carly Oliver single to short. Amber Gainer capitalized on defensive errors paired with Jade Gainer beating out a bunt loaded the bases. Keatts tacked an RBI single to left field followed by a Bailey Turnbow single to load the bases again. A fielder's choice play saw Bryant reach first safely and record an RBI, making the score 7-1 in favor of UC at the end of the second.

A one-two-three inning from Morgan Radford continued to hold the Red Storm at bay with only one run in the game. In the bottom of the third, the Pats were unable to muster another run but held onto their 7-1 lead going into the top of the fourth. The Red Storm recorded their final run of the day off a pair of singles to make the score 7-2. The Pats responded quickly with a leadoff walk from Jade Gainer paired with a Keatts single through the 5-6 hole to move runners into scoring position. Turnbow capitalized on errors to record an RBI and reach base safely before she swiped second. A heads up double-play from the Red Storm ended the inning but not before the Patriots raised the score to 10-2.

A quick inning on defense saw Morgan Radford toss a complete game and the Pats record a 10-2 run-rule victory over the Red Storm of Rio Grande.

GAME ONE LEADERS
Keatts led the way offensively, going 3-3 at the plate with two RBI's and two runs while Atkins followed, going 2-3 at the plate with two RBI's and two runs. Shelby Radford rounded out, going 2-3 at the plate with two RBI's.

Pitcher Morgan Radford tossed a complete game for her third win of the season while recording one strikeout and only allowing two runs.

GAME TWO: PATRIOTS EDGE BY TROJANS, 4-3
In the top of the first, the Trojans quickly recorded their first run on a pair of singles for an early 1-0 lead. The Pats quickly changed the tide, sparked by an Oliver leadoff walk and swiped bag. Amber Gainer followed with a single to short and a swiped bag to put runners on second and third. RBI singles from Jade Gainer and Keatts pushed two runs across, followed by a ball from Turnbow that pushed UC's third run across to make the score 3-1.

Lindsey Shope started dealing in the circle, making it a quick inning on defense to send Cumberlands back on offense. In the bottom of the second, a triple down the right field line from Morgan Radford sparked the inning paired with an Oliver RBI single to left center to tally Cumberlands final run of the game for a 4-1 lead.

Both teams were quiet through the bottom of the fifth, recording minimal hits and leaving runners on base, leaving the score at 4-1 headed into the bottom of the fifth. In the top of the sixth, the Trojans had an electric inning that was sparked by a double and a sacrifice fly to make the score 4-2, UC. The Trojans hit a solo home run to boost them to 4-3, but the Patriots held strong on defense to secure the 4-3 victory over the Trojans.

GAME TWO LEADERS
Oliver led the way offensively, going 1-3 at the plate with one RBI and one run while Amber Gainer was 1-1 with one run. Jade Gainer went 1-3 at the plate with one run and one RBI while Keatts was 1-3 with one RBI.

Pitcher Lindsey Shope collected the win after tossing five innings, recording one strikeout and only allowing two runs. Talli Burgess came in for relief, recording the save after tallying two strikeouts and only allowing one run.

UC will compete in Day Two of the Ice-Burg Classic with a single game against the University of Northwestern Ohio. The game is set to take place on Saturday, February 24^th at 5:00 p.m.

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