Williamsburg, KY – The ninth-ranked Patriots competed in a twin bill for their Mid-South Conference home opener against the Bethel University Wildcats. UC's offense recorded 17 runs on 21 hits while the pitching staff recorded nine strikeouts and only allowed four runs. Cumberlands sits at an overall record of 20-4 and an MSC record of 2-0.

GAME ONE: PATRIOTS BLOW PAST WILDCATS, 12-1
The top of the first inning featured Bethel's leadoff batter facing UC pitcher Talli Burgess in an eleven-pitch at bat. Burgess won the battle with a strikeout to set the pace for the first game of the day. In their first round at the plate, Carly Oliver led it off with a single up the middle an advancing on the throw. With Oliver in scoring position, a double to left center from Amber Gainer gave the Pats an early 1-0 lead. Continuing with their success, a Makenzie Keatts single through the 5-6 hole tacked on another run, quickly followed by an Amber Atkins double to right center to raise the score 3-0.

The Wildcats recorded their first hit of the game, but back-to-back strikeouts from Burgess sent the Patriots back on offense. The bottom of the second saw a walk for Amber Gainer paired with a Jade Gainer triple to the center field fence, raising the score to 4-0 in favor of UC. Immediately following, a Keatts RBI single to right field scored Jade Gainer for a 5-0 lead to close the second inning.

Burgess continued to dominate in the circle, recording her third and fourth strikeout of the day to keep the Wildcats at bay. Back on offense, Bailey Turnbow reached first on an error before quickly swiping second. An Emily Bryant walk put runners on first and second before a fielder's choice ball from Aniyah White saw runners remain on first and second. A double steal from Bryant and White moved runners to second and third, where a pinch hit from Alyssa Gent saw UC collect another run. Oliver continued the pace with an electric triple to the right center field fence, seeing her score on a passed ball. The Pats tacked on an additional run by capitalizing on defensive errors, ending the third inning with a 9-0 lead.

Another quick one, two, three inning featuring Burgess' sixth strikeout on the day once again put the Pats at the plate. Continuing their offensive hot streak, Atkins sparked the inning with a leadoff single before pinch runner Cloe Smith stole second. Back-to-back blasts from Turnbow and Bryant put UC ahead 12-0, where pitcher Morgan Radford shut down the Wildcats in the top of the fifth to secure the 12-1 run-rule victory.

LEADERS
Leading the way offensively, Oliver was 2-4 at the plate with one RBI and two runs followed by Keatts who was 2-3 with two RBIs and one run. Atkins was 2-3 at the plate with one RBI while Turnbow was 2-3 with two RBIs and one run.

Pitcher Burgess tossed four innings, recording six strikeouts, and only allowed one hit to collect her sixth win of the season.

GAME TWO: PATRIOTS EDGE PAST WILDCATS, 5-3
In the first inning, the Wildcats were aggressive early seeing a runner reach third, but a clutch strikeout from pitcher Lindsey Shope shut the door and sent the Pats to the plate. The bottom of the first saw a walk from Jade Gainer, but UC was unable to capitalize. On the defensive front, Cumberlands had a quick three-up, three-down inning to return to the plate in hopes of striking first. Bryant drew a walk followed by a White double to right center to move runners into scoring position, but UC once again came up short.

Back on defense, Cumberlands continued to rally with three quick outs before returning to offense. The bottom of the third was sparked by a leadoff blast to left field from Oliver to put UC on the board, 1-0. Amber Gainer carried the momentum with an infield single followed by a stolen base, where a double from Jade Gainer added to UC's lead. A Turnbow single to right field tacked on the Pats third run of the inning to close out the bottom of the third.

With a 3-0 Patriot lead, the Wildcats were looking to score their first run of the game. In the top of the fourth, Bethel was able to tack on a single run but back-to-back sacrifice flies from Oliver and Amber Gainer elevated UC to a 5-1 lead. The Patriots had to work hard through the seventh inning, seeing Bethel record two more runs. Pitcher Burgess came on in relief during the top of the seventh to close the door on the Wildcats and secure a twin bill sweep.

LEADERS
Leading the way offensively, Amber Gainer was 2-3 at the plate with one RBI and one run followed by Turnbow who was 2-3 with one RBI. White was 2-3 at the plate with one run while Oliver rounded out, going 1-3 at the plate, with two RBIs and one run.

The Patriots will conclude the series tomorrow, Sunday March 17th inside the UC Softball Complex in Williamsburg, KY. Game times are slated for 1:00 p.m. EST and 3:00 p.m. EST.

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