Williamsburg, KY – The #9 Patriots successfully sweep Bethel University on opening weekend of Mid-South Conference play. The Pats recorded 21 runs on 20 hits while the pitching staff recorded seven strikeouts across both games. UC now sits at an overall record of 22-4 while posting a 4-0 MSC record.
GAME ONE: PATRIOTS STOMP WILDCATS, 10-3
The Wildcats struck early, recording one run off two hits until a strikeout from pitcher Kaitlyn Schofield shut the threat and sent UC to the bottom of the first. A leadoff ground-rule double from Carly Oliver paired with a single through the left side from Jade Gainer puts two runners on base. Jade Gainer swipes second before a Makenzie Keatts ball to short stop evens the score, 1-1. In the top of the second, a crucial 5-4-3 double play showcased the Patriots stellar defense. Back on offense, an Emily Bryant sparked the inning with a double off the bottom of the center field wall. A slow roller from Aniyah White moved Byrant into scoring position, where a single to second from Kaysee Dale gave the Pats a 2-1 lead.
The Wildcats were relentlessly and recorded two runs on four hits to recapture a 3-2 lead over the Pats. Amber Gainer initiated a third-inning rally with a leadoff single to short, immediately followed by Jade Gainer with a single to short. The Gainer twins recorded a double steal to move both runners into scoring position, where a fielder's choice ball from Keatts tied UC at 3-3. By capitalizing on defensive errors, Atkins reached first to load the bases. A sacrifice fly from Turnbow paired with a double-steal from pinch runner Cloe Smith and Keatts elevated UC to a 5-3 lead. A double to left field from White closed the third inning with the Pats leading 6-3.
The top of the fourth saw Talli Burgess make her third appearance of the weekend, coming on in relief. She recorded a ground out, a fly ball, and a strikeout to send UC into the bottom of the fourth. Back on offense, Oliver ignited the inning with a leadoff hit by pitch and stealing second. With two outs on the board, Keatts capitalized on a defensive error to reach first safely before swiping second. With runners on second and third, another defensive error leads UC to tack on another run as Atkins reaches safely. With the stage set, Turnbow blasts a three-run shot to straight away center field to put UC on top, 10-3. Burgess kept the Wildcats at bay along with Morgan Radford closing out the seventh inning for the Pats to secure the 10-3 victory.
LEADERS
Leading the way offensively, Jade Gainer was 2-4 at the plate with one run while Oliver was 1-3 with two runs. Keatts followed, going 1-4 at the plate, with two RBIs and two runs.
Pitcher Burgess recorded her seventh win of the season after recording three innings, striking out three and only allowing two hits.
GAME TWO: PATRIOTS RUN RULE WILDCATS, 11-1
Cumberlands wasted no time, seeing a leadoff single to left field from Oliver paired with a stolen base and advancing to third on a wild pitch. A clutch Jade Gainer RBI single in the form of a bunt scored Oliver for an early 1-0 lead at the end of the first inning. In the top of the second, pitcher Lindsey Shope recorded back-to-back strikeouts to close the inning and shut the door on the Wildcats.
In the bottom of the second, the Pats were seen hitting for the cycle starting with a White RBI single up the middle. Oliver followed with an RBI triple to right center before and Amber Gainer double to center field for a 4-0 Patriot lead. UC closed the cycle with a Jade Gainer two-run blast over the right center field wall, elevating the Pats to a 6-0 lead. In the top of the third, the Wildcats scored their lone run of the game on two hits. Without hesitating, the Pats responded with an Atkins and Turnbow single followed by the second double-steal of the game to score another run. A perfectly executed squeeze from Bryant scored Turnbow, making the score 8-1 in favor of the Pats.
Cumberlands defense continued to shine as they played three ground balls to move into the bottom of the fourth. The bottom of the fourth featured an Amber Gainer double with heads up base running to advance to third. Another perfectly executed squeeze from Jade Gainer scored another run for the Pats. Keatts reached base on a walk to place runners on the corners followed by an Atkins single to right center and a ball from Turnbow on the right side of the field, giving the Pats the 11-3 run-rule victory and series sweep over the Wildcats.
LEADERS
Leading the way offensively, Jade Gainer was 3-3 at the plate with four RBIs and two runs followed by Oliver who was 2-3 at the plate with one RBI and two runs. Amber Gainer went 2-3 at the plate with one RBI and two runs.
Pitcher Shope recorded her ninth win of the season after tossing four innings, tallying two strikeouts, and only allowing three hits.
Cumberlands will hit the road to Dayon, TN to face Bryan College in a mid-week double-header. Game times are slated for 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19.
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