Williamsburg, KY – On the final day of the Ice-Burg Classic, the Patriots recorded two wins against University of Northwestern Ohio and the University of Rio Grande. Collective efforts both offensively and defensively complimented the Patriots 5-0 record at the Ice-Burg Classic. UC recorded 12 runs on 16 hits while the pitching staff combined for seven strikeouts on the day.

GAME ONE: PATRIOTS DANCE PAST RACERS, 7-3
In the first inning, the Patriots were sharp on defense and recorded three quick outs, featuring a strikeout from pitcher Lindsey Shope. UC turned to offense where they put the ball in play but were unable to muster up base runners. Back on defense, Cumberlands had another one-two-three inning to shut the Racers offense down.

In the bottom of the second, Makenzie Keatts worked her count to garner a walk followed by a wild pitch to advance her to second. With a runner in scoring position, Turnbow drives the ball to the right center field fence to put the Patriots on the board 1-0. Immediately following, Emily Bryant drives the ball deep to right center for an RBI triple to raise UC's lead to 2-0. A well-placed ball from Aniyah White allows Bryant to score, elevating UC to 3-0. With two outs, a double to left center from Morgan Radford puts another runner in scoring position but the Racers ended the threat to send it into the third inning.

The Racers returned to the plate, but Shope served up a fly ball and two groundouts for a one-two-three inning. Leading off the bottom of the third for the Patriots was Amber Gainer who reached on a hit-by-pitch before swiping second. A sacrifice fly from Keatts sends Amber Gainer across the plate, making the score 4-1 in favor of UC.

In the fourth inning, the Racers saw their second hit of the day to put a runner on base. A pair of singles sent the Racers first run across the plate, making the score 4-1 in favor of UC. After diminishing the threat, Cumberlands sparked the inning with a single from Turnbow paired with a rip from White to put runners on first and second. With two outs, Oliver smoked a ball to third base but a stop by the Racers ended UC's threat.

UNOH continued to tack on runs, recording two runs on three hits in the top of the fifth to make the score 4-3, still in favor of UC. Stepping in the box, Amber Gainer garnered a leadoff walk before swiping second and third, then scoring by capitalizing on defensive errors from the Racers. Keatts carried the momentum with a walk before an Atkins double down the left field line moved runners into scoring position. A hard-hit ball from Turnbow pushed another run across paired with an RBI single from Bryant to give UC a 7-3 lead. Pitcher Kaitlyn Schofield served up three routine plays in the top of the sixth followed by three straight strikeouts to close the doors on the Racers, securing a 7-3 victory.

GAME ONE LEADERS
Leading the way offensively, Turnbow was 2-3 at the plate with two RBIs and one run while Bryant was 2-3 at the plate with two RBIs and one run. White was 1-3 with one RBI while Atkins also went 1-3 at the plate.

Pitcher Shope recorded the win after tossing 4.1 innings and only allowing three runs and recording one strikeout. Schofield earned the save after tossing 2.2 innings and recording four strikeouts.

GAME TWO: PATRIOTS SECURE VICTORY OVER RED STORM, 5-3
A quick one, two, three from Cumberlands featuring a web gem from Bryant quickly shuts the door on the first inning. As the Patriots step to the plate, a leadoff hit-by-pitch for Oliver grants her first base. Amber Gainer beats out a beautifully placed bunt, seeing pinch runner Alyssa Gent advance two bases on heads-up base running skills. A shot from Jade Gainer loads up the bases followed by a rip up the middle from Keatts to score their first two runs of the game, 2-0.

In the second inning, pitcher Talli Burgess served up three routine plays for her stellar defense to make it another quick half inning for the Pats. Back on offense, a leadoff single to center from White paired with an Amber Gainer single up the middle placed runners on the corner. Capitalizing on defensive errors, a ball from Jade Gainer sent another run across the plate to elevate UC to a 3-0 lead.
Cumberlands remained lights out on defensive with Burgess recording her first strikeout of the day while Bryant collected her fourth assist and second put out of the game. Both teams remained quiet offensively until a solo shot from Jade Gainer sparked the Pats in the bottom of the fifth, 4-0. Atkins follows with a rip into right center for a stand-up double, but pinch runner Cloe Smith was left stranded as UC leads 4-0 going into the top of the sixth.

In the top of the sixth inning, a pair of walks put runners on for the Red Storm but Burgess worked from behind and strong defense from UC minimized the threat. Back on offense, a leadoff knock from White followed by a stolen base moves her into scoring position. A single to second from Oliver moved White to third followed by Amber Gainer putting the ball in play to tack on another run for UC, 5-0.

Only needing three outs to close the door, the Red Storm was relentless againt the Pats. After a pair of hits from the Red Storm and a pair of pitching changes, the score sat at 5-3 in favor of UC. With Shope making her second appearance of the day, she faced one batter before a diving play from Amber Gainer closed the game and the Patriots secured a 5-3 victory.

GAME TWO LEADERS
Leading the way offensively, Amber Gainer went 2-4 at the plate with one RBI and one run while Jade Gainer was also 2-4 at the plate with two RBI's and one run. White was 2-3 at the plate with two runs while Oliver was 1-3 at the plate.

Pitcher Burgess recorded the win after tossing 6.2 innings, only allowing three runs and recording two strikeouts.

UC will hit the road and travel to Gulf Shores, AL for the annual Gulf Shores Classic. Cumberlands will start Day One of the Classic on Friday, March 1^st with a match-up against #6 University of Science and Arts (OK) at 1:30 p.m. followed by a match-up against #16 Middle Georgia State University at 3:45 p.m.

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